Navakerala Sadas deviates to ‘life-saving’ acts too

The ongoing Navakerala Sadas grandiose marches on, gathering newer nuances with gruesome violence against protestors by party cadre earning a life-rescuing tag.
Navakerala Sadas: CPM Cadre Assaults Protestors, Chief Minister Supports Violence
Navakerala Sadas: CPM Cadre Assaults Protestors, Chief Minister Supports Violence
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 Kochi | It might be deemed a historical quirk that a decade after the former Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, encountered vehement CPM protests and black flags, including getting hurt in an incident of stone-pelting in Kannur district, a similar demonstration unfolded just two days ago. The notable distinction, however, lies in the fact that this time, instead of the police, it was the CPM cadre itself who took on the role of violently keeping the protestors at bay.

Ironically, in the earlier episode, there were no justifications for the police intervention. However, this time around, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan not only justified the cadre's assault on the protestors but also advocated for the continuation of such life-saving endeavours. In a peculiar theoretical twist, this scenario seems to embody the prophetic words of Karl Marx: "History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce."

The occasion in question was the ongoing Navakerala Sadas, a jamboree differently akin to the initiative undertaken by Chandy, designed to connect with the populace, listen to their grievances, and, where feasible, provide remedies. Chandy's unconventional approach, which circumvented traditional governance norms, involved addressing people's complaints which should have been settled directly at the Secretariat or district offices. The government's perceived shortcomings were a driving force behind Chandy's decision to personally engage with the people. Interestingly and rightly so, the CPM had opposed this approach at the time, deeming it a departure from conventional practices and failure in governance.

Like before, protests by Youth Congress workers unfolded in a subdued manner, especially in contrast to the formidable cadre strength of the CPM. A protestor hastily brandished a black flag as Chief Minister Pinarayi's Rs 1.05-crore caravan passed by. Swiftly, CPM cadre members intervened, seizing the protestor and, in the presence of the police, subjected him to a brutal assault using rods, helmets, and flowerpots. A few other YC activists who attempted to intervene met with similar rough treatment, underscoring that the maintenance of law and order did not come from the police.

Police have charged as many as a dozen CPM youths with several sections of the Criminal Procedure Code, including that of attempt to murder. Pushing this to oblivion, the Chief Minister, who is also the Police Minister, claimed publicly that the intervention of the CPM cadre was only to ensure that the protestor was not run over by the caravan. It was a much-appreciable life-saving endeavour and such initiatives should continue. How he chose to ignore the latter part of the protestor being nearly done to death in a rescuing act is anyone’s guess.

Police have levied charges against a dozen CPM youths, invoking multiple Sections of the Criminal Procedure Code, including that of attempted murder. Contrary to the gravity of the charges, the Chief Minister publicly asserted that the intervention by CPM cadre members was solely aimed at preventing the protestor from being run over by the caravan—a commendable life-saving effort, in his view. However, the choice of the Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of the Police Ministry, to overlook the subsequent brutal assault that nearly resulted in the protestor's death during the rescue attempt leaves much to speculation.

Black flags and protests, things that built the CPM, are anathema for Pinarayi and his team.  People with black masks being asked by the police to use a different colour one, those wearing black dress being denied entry to his public functions, why even a woman in black burqha being kept out a public function, have been the hallmark of this Government. It's a tragicomedy for the Reds to witness red in people's movements, be they protests, underscoring the paradoxical nature of their response to public expressions of dissent.

The very foundations that once built the CPM, namely agitations and protests, including black flag ones, have become anathema for Pinarayi and his team. Instances where individuals wearing black masks are instructed by the police to choose a different colour, people in black attire being denied entry to public functions hosted by Pinarayi, and even a woman in a black burqa being excluded from a public event—all stand as distinctive features of this government's approach.

Amidst the serious financial crisis that this government is facing comes this paraphernalia of Nava Kerala, immediately after the Keralayeem splash. After district-wise adalats where public grievances were heard a few months ago, people have to come again with their unsettled complaints. In these times of Information Technology revolution where complaints reach online in no time and can be settled if need be again in no time, the rulers appear to get a thrill in watching their subjects queue up for some pittance. This is something not one expects from the Left.

In the midst of the severe financial crisis confronting this government, there emerges this elaborate spectacle of Nava Kerala, following closely on the heels of the Keralayeem splash. Despite recent district-wise adalats where public grievances were presented, people now find themselves having to revisit with their unresolved complaints to gather dust in the pile of files. Let all forget that the Chief Minister had once said that there is life in every file. In an era marked by IT everywhere, when complaints can be swiftly submitted online and resolved promptly if authorities intend to, the apparent thrill, which the powers-that-be derive from witnessing their subjects queue up for meagre assistance, is most unwarranted, and especially from the Left.

Adding to the perplexity, the Left Chief Minister and his team engaging in discussions and shared meals with public figures who have unhindered access to them at any time while averting interactions with the plebeians due to purported time constraints, undermines the fundamental essence of a New Kerala envisioned for and by the people.

The situation of governance failure by refusing to see the life that was to have existed in every file and the unleashing of party cadre to don the role of police (once seen by the party as an arm of State oppression) rings resonance with the lines in the poem ‘Second Coming’ (again a historical coincidence) by WB Yeats:

“Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world…

The ceremony of innocence is drowned.” 

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