VARKALA: People who advocate identity politics and stoke communal divide by singling out minorities betray the humanist teachings of Sree Narayana Guru, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
The chief minister’s words, while inaugurating the annual conference at Sivagiri Mutt in connection with the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage, assume significance in the wake of criticism that the ruling CPM adopted a soft stance on SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan’s recent anti-Muslim remarks.
Reminding that the idea of a theocratic state was not in tune with Guru’s teachings, the chief minister hoped that a true follower of the spiritual leader would never subscribe to the idea that the country should be modelled on the basis of a particular religion.
Siddaramaiah promises 5 acres for Mutt branch
Close on the heels of the demolition of ‘illegal’ houses in Bengaluru becoming a political flashpoint between Karnataka and Kerala, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shared the stage with his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan at Sivagiri Mutt.
At the conference, Siddaramaiah reiterated his promise to sanction five acres of land for establishing a branch of the Mutt in his state.