Thiruvananthapuram | The BJP on Friday organised 'Vande Mataram Sadas' programmes at all district headquarters in Keralam to protest against the state government over the non-recitation of the national song at official events held as part of Independence Day celebrations.
In Thiruvananthapuram, the programme was organised in front of the state Secretariat and inaugurated by BJP state general secretary S Suresh.
Addressing the gathering, Suresh alleged that the UDF government had decided against reciting Vande Mataram on Independence Day under pressure from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Jamaat-e-Islami.
"We can see that politics in every nook and corner of Keralam today. We can see it in the Kerala Assembly as well. Sitting on the right side of Chief Minister VD Satheesan is PK Kunhalikutty, the leader of the Muslim League-a party formed to partition this country," he alleged.
Suresh alleged that Satheesan became Chief Minister because of the IUML's demand, not because of a decision by the Congress high command or a majority of Congress MLAs in Keralam.
He further alleged that the alleged joint rule of Satheesan and Kunhalikutty was "ruining the Sanatana culture of Keralam and the glorious models of the Renaissance" and allowing communal elements to flourish in the state.
"Against this communal, regressive, and extremist administration led by Satheesan, the BJP across Keralam is chanting the slogan of Vande Mataram," he said.
Suresh said Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and set to tune and sung by Rabindranath Tagore, represented the country's heritage.
He alleged that the national song was being treated as "haraam" (forbidden) in Keralam and said that people who opposed it should introspect.
He also alleged that Keralam would not be allowed to be "surrendered to anti-nationals" or the IUML, which he accused of having supported the partition of the country.
"This is the Keralam of Sree Narayana Gurudevan! This is the Keralam of Chattampi Swamikal! This is the Keralam of Mahatma Ayyankali. This is the land where the nobility of the Renaissance emerged," he said.