THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking the CPM - CPI confrontation over Law Academy to a new dimension, CPI mouthpiece 'Janayugam' has come down heavily on chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan over his ' some Pillai' remark on PS Nataraja Pillai.
In the column 'Vathilpazhuthiloode', writer Devika unleashes scathing criticism on the chief minister for trivialising the contributions of PS Nataraja Pillai, a well known Communist of yesteryears who fought against Diwan CP Ramaswamy Iyer.
Giving an elaborate account on Pillai and his political journey, the article goes on to explain how the former Diwan attacked Pillai's property, where the Law Academy is housed now. Later, when the government offered to return the land, Pillai had refused. "If you justify the Diwan's actions, would you term the Punnapra Vayalar martyrs - who fought against the Diwan - criminals?” she asks.
The article further says how historical figures are being trivialised and how the entire state is saddened by this portrayal. A six time legislator, two time minister and once parliamentarian - can he be termed 'some Pillai?' she adds.
The revenue probe into the Law Academy land had commenced based on a complaint from VS Achuthanandan, CPM's only surviving founding member. The CPI article also criticised education minister C Raveendranath for being 'megaphone' of academy management and the SFI. Taking a jibe at CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the article states that he is advised the agitating students of the Law Academy “not to fall in BJP's trap”.
"Does it mean, everyone can come here and fall into our own trap," asks the article which winds up with the warning that history's garbage boxes await those who forget their own past.