Shortly after BJP National President Amit Shah’s all-out attack on the CPI(M)-led LDF Government in Kerala on the Sabarimala issue, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit back at Amit Shah, stating that the BJP Chief had made statements attacking the Supreme Court and the Constitution while trying to target the state government.
At the inauguration ceremony of the new BJP office in Kannur, Amit Shah said that the Kerala government was oppressing Ayyappa devotees under the garb of implementing the Supreme Court’s verdict.
“I can quote many judgements that could not be implemented like the jallikattu judgement, the judgement banning loudspeakers at mosques, the height restrictions on human pyramids during dahi-handi, the Shia-Sunni dispute in Varanasi... Has Kerala govt implemented all the judgements I mentioned? Then why concentrate on just this judgement?” Amit Shah said at the event.
In response, CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Amit Shah’s statement that the Supreme Court should only come out with orders that can be followed, sends the message across that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution is not to be implemented.”
"These statements of Shah also reveal the true colours of the RSS and BJP,” he added.
Pinarayi Vijayan also emphasized that Amit Shah wants to bring down a Government that is trying to implement a Supreme Court Verdict and thereby protecting the fundamental rights mentioned in the Constitution.
“BJP should not forget that the LDF Government did not come to power because of the mercy of the BJP but rather, we came to power because the people of the state elected us.”
“Amit Shah wants to uproot this mandate by the people. All believers of democracy should raise their voice against this,” added the Kerala CM.
In his speech, Amit Shah had stated that he has come to Kerala to ‘warn CM Pinarayi’ that the BJP cadre will ‘uproot’ the LDF government in Kerala. Amit Shah also hinted at the event that changing traditions cannot ensure equality between men and women.
Reacting to this, Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Amit Shah’s statement clearly indicates that he has not moved beyond the Manusmriti argument that women and men are not considered as equals.”
“It is necessary that a society which upholds the values of democracy and equal fundamental rights and other progressive values to come together against such primitive policies,” the Kerala CM added.