Sangh outfits protest against ‘fundamental, extremist’ forces

T’puram/Kottayam: Members of Sangh Parivar organizations took out protest marches and organized public meetings and rallies at over 100 places across the state on Wednesday, demanding strict action against ‘fundamentalist and extremist forces’ operating in the state.
The programme, convened by Hindu Aikya Vedi without much publicity and fanfare, was held in view of the recent political killings of RSS workers.Members of various Parivar outfits gathered at various places raising slogans against religious fundamentalism, and blamed the police and state government for their alleged passivity of the violent incidents. Though the protests were targeted at SDPI, the protestors were instructed against sloganeering against organizations by mentioning their name.
The state police intelligence wing had reported the possibility of violence in connection with the protest programme, especially since the marches were planned in sensitive areas where SDPI has a palpable presence. Hence, there was heavy deployment of police.
A senior functionary of RSS state unit said the protest programme was a natural outcome of Sangh Parivar members, and RSS has no role in it. “RSS never allows extraneous factors to deflect its focus. Being a nationalist organization committed to rear patriotism and promote nationalist feelings in the minds of people, RSS doesn’t work on the principle of enmity. There are people in the organization who believe that voices of protest should be raised against certain forces and developments. They are free to do the same through several Sangh Parivar organizations. RSS doesn’t want to spend energy against anybody. That’s why you don’t see RSS making any statements or justifications regarding the fleeting incidents,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senior RSS leader and Hindu Aikya Vedi state working president Valsan Thillankari, who inaugurated the Kannur meeting, accused SDPI of targeting RSS workers and said that RSS was ready to accept the challenge if the government and police are not ready to bring SDPI under control.
Peaceful protest in Alappuzha
Meanwhile, protest marches were held in various places in Alappuzha district by Hindu Aikya Vedi on Wednesday. Many, including women, took part in the rallies which were held peacefully. There were additional forces deployed in SDPI strongholds through which the rallies passed.