Thiruvananthapuram | The CPI(M) state secretariat on Sunday called for heightened vigilance against attempts to undermine Kerala’s strong secular tradition and communal harmony.

In a statement, the party said recent remarks and reactions by certain political parties and community organisations were “highly dangerous” and could create divisions among people.

It warned that statements spreading mutual hatred could lead to serious social discord if not checked at an early stage.

The Left party was referring to remarks by Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, who alleged that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had exerted pressure on the Congress to select V D Satheesan as CM of Kerala.

Following the remarks, IUML activists burned an effigy of Natesan, after which he wrote an article criticising the IUML in the SNDP Yogam magazine.

The CPI(M) said Kerala should not be allowed to slip into the kind of polarisation witnessed in other parts of the country, where attempts are made to divide society along communal lines for electoral gains.

Referring to recent developments in Idukki, including the burning of Natesan’s effigy and subsequent reactions elsewhere, the party urged society to remain united against such tendencies.

It said political parties and social organisations must act responsibly, noting that Kerala has largely remained free from communal violence even when such incidents have been reported elsewhere in the country.

The party also said the LDF government had ensured that the state remained free from communal conflicts over the past 10 years.

It called upon the state government to take a firm stand against any attempts to weaken secularism and urged people across Kerala to unite against efforts to disrupt the state’s secular fabric.