THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Highlighting the role of ‘Navodhana Samiti’ in maintaining communal harmony, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the organisation and its affiliates have been instrumental in ensuring that the state remains largely free of communal conflict.
Inaugurating the state leadership conference of the Navodhana Samiti, the chief minister noted that Kerala is among the places in the country where certain communal organisations possess considerable strength. Despite this, the state continues to stand as an island without communal clashes due to its firm policies and secular outlook, he said.
Pinarayi Vijayan added that Kerala is a model for others as a state without caste discrimination or religious hatred.
“Living in brotherhood is a distinctive feature of our land, and reformist organisations have played a major role in nurturing it,” he said.
He also stressed that even while remembering the renaissance, society must remain vigilant in utilising its legacy for the state’s progress and growth.
Taking seriously the samiti’s long-standing demand for memorials and study centres for social reformers, the chief minister said, the government has decided to construct memorials for Sree Narayana Guru, Mahatma Ayyankali, Ayya Vaikunda Swami, Kavaraikkulam Kandan Kumaran, Pampadi John Joseph, Varkala Raghavan, and Kunjan Velumban. Memorials for other renaissance leaders are also under consideration, he added.
Balaprajapathi Adigalar, a sixth-generation descendant of Ayya Vaikunda Swami, honoured the chief minister with a ponnada for deciding to build a memorial for Ayya Vaikunda Swami in the state capital.
Navodhana Samiti state treasurer K Somaprasad presided over the event. General secretary P Ramabhadran, secretary K Santhakumari MLA and other leaders were present.