The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– May 26, 2022; Day 297

Communal clouds in Kerala: The Hindu Editorial on hate slogans in SDPI rally

Kerala and its government must mobilise (Organized for a purpose) public opinion against communalism of all hues (aspect)

The slogans raised by a child at a rally in Kerala’s Alappuzha on May 21 were chilling (Provoking fear or terror) not merely for the death threats that they make. The fact that an innocent child could be indoctrinated (to force somebody to accept particular beliefs without considering others) and tutored such that he could call for violence portends (Be a sign of something to come, esp. something important or bad) a communal storm that is making landfall (the land sighted or neared) in the State. Organisers of the rally, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), disowned (to deny any connection with) the slogans, but not in any reassuring manner. The Islamist group’s claim that its rally was to save the Republic does not cut ice (Cut no ice means to not cause someone to change their opinion or decision), considering its track record and the threatening posturing (false behaviour in order to impress or deceive people) that it has engaged in, in recent years. It is merely using the democratic space and the prevailing environment of Hindutva upsurge (A sudden or abrupt strong increase) to advance its dangerous, nihilistic (Related to complete denial of all established authority and institutions) communal agenda. At least five people have been killed in Kerala in SDPI-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) rivalry in the State in recent months. In April, in Palakkad, an SDPI worker and an RSS worker were killed within a span of one day; in December 2021, a State Secretary of the SDPI and a Bharatiya Janata Party OBC Morcha State Secretary were killed in Alappuzha in a similar pattern. This was preceded by the murder of an RSS worker in Palakkad, in November. All these killings were brutal (Punishingly harsh) in nature, and added an unmistakable communal hue to violence in Kerala unlike the occasional clashes between the RSS and the CPI(M).

The latest incident is not an isolated one. Muslim angst (An acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety) is being harnessed by extremist ((used of opinions and actions) far beyond the norm) organisations that dismiss the Indian Union Muslim League, a constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, as a futile (Producing no result or effect) political platform for the community. The BJP and the RSS are pushing hard to expand their presence in the State. A toxic (Unpleasant and damaging or offensive) cloud of communalism is enveloping the State, as Hindu, Christian, and Islamic groups, and devious (Characterized by insincerity or deceit) politicians are trying to profit from disharmony. The Opposition Congress and the BJP have condemned the Alappuzha incident and criticised the ruling CPI(M) for its disturbing ambiguity (An expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context) on the issue. The Kerala police have filed an FIR in connection with the provocative (Serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate) slogans, but what is missing is a political message. Both in words and action, the Kerala government and the ruling Left Democratic Front led by the CPI(M) must make it clear that any call or mobilisation for violence is unacceptable in the State. Political expediency (doing what is convenient rather than what is morally right) must not be a determinant in responses to communalism. Along with strong administrative measures, Kerala must shore up (Support, help or boost something that would otherwise be weak or fail) all its inherent strengths through popular mobilisation against communalism of all hues — Hindu, Christian or Muslim. The government must take the lead.

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