By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Kozhikode: Auto drivers in Kerala organised protest marches on Sunday evening and burnt effigies against attempt by Hindutva groups to communalise the aid given by the state government to the kin of an auto driver who died while saving two manual labourers.
While the entire state of Kerala has been mourning for Noushad, an autorickshaw driver from Kozhikode, who died of asphyxiation trying to save two casual labourers who fell into a manhole in the city on Friday, the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has given a communal colour to the aid, announced by the State Government for the victim’s family.
On Sunday, Natesan kicked up a storm with a communally coloured remark on Noushad, saying the authorities were showing favouritism even in granting aid to accident victims.
“Noushad’s family was extended financial aid as he was a Muslim. I wish to die the death of a Muslim or Christian in Kerala so that my family could get such assistance. Though members of a school handball team died the other day, no one cared for them as they were all Hindus,” he alleged.
Pointing out that the government has offered Rs. 10 lakh and a job to the widow of Noushad, Natesan alleged negligence on part of the state government in providing financial assistance to the family of handball players who died in an accident recently, insinuating that they were overlooked because they were Hindus.
The government has announced `10 lakh compensation to the family and offered job to his widow.
The leader was speaking at a public meeting organised in Kochi on Sunday when his Samathwa Munnetta Yatra, the state wide rally organised by SNDP, reached the city. The rally is, calmingly, organised to unite and empower the Hindu community in Kerala.
Interestingly, Natesan, in the rally, is accompanied by the Sangh Parivar leaders including Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K P Sasikala, who is infamous for her hate speeches.
Meanwhile, Natesan’s remarks drew flak from the political leaders, for spreading communal venom. CPM polit bureau member Pinarayi Vijan said his remarks were ignorant and inhumane. The CPM leader in a Facebook post wrote that Vellappally had become ‘Togadia’ of Kerala by spewing communal venom.
“Noushad did not bother about the religion or caste of the two migrant labourers when he plunged to the manhole. Kerala pays due respect to Noushad’s sacrifice. No religious fanatic can diminish the glow of that sacrifice,” Pinarayi said.
Opposition leader V S Achuthananthan said that Natesan should be jailed for his statement, which humiliated the entire state.
Youth Congress leader M Liju lashed at Natesan saying he was a devil, who lost all qualities of a leader. “He shouldn’t be allowed to enter our houses and shouldn’t be given even a drop of water,” Liju said during a channel discussion.
Former SNDP leaders also criticised Natesan saying he spoilt the tradition of Sree Narayana Guru, who was a great social reformer. “Natesan has denigrated the spirit of Sree Narayana Dharma, which accords due respect to other castes and religions,” said former SNDP leader C K Vidhyasagar, a leader of Secular Republican Party (SRP).