Thiruvananthapuram: Organisations that uphold renaissance traditions have to work together considering the situation existing in Kerala and the government would convene a meeting for the purpose, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
Pinarayi stressed at 'Naam Munnottu', his weekly interactive television programme, that the government would take the necessary initiative in this regard.
"Retrogressive efforts are underway at Sabarimala. This is an insult to the state and we should remain alert over such developments," said the chief minister.
Pinarayi had some advice for the media too. "During the first stage of the issue, the media took the correct position. The biggest victim of the violence at Sabarimala was the media. Several mediapersons were brutally attacked," he recalled.
"The media has to expose all efforts to take Kerala to a dark past. However, the reports appearing in various media are proving to be a tonic for the regressive forces," said Pinarayi.
"News organisations need to correct their stand on the matter," felt the chief minister.
According to him, the example set by stalwarts of the renaissance movement in Kerala like K Kelappan and Mannathu Padmanabhan was still relevant. "The government will also seek ways to revise school textbooks giving importance to progressive values," added Pinarayi.
Those who took part in the programme included historian Dr M R Raghava Warrier, historian and chairman of higher education council Dr Rajan Gurukkal, KPMS general secretary Punnala Sreekumar and writers S Saradakkutty, Tanuja Bhattathiri, Dr Khadeeja Mumtaz and Rosy Thampy.
IUML allegation
Meanwhile, national general secretary of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) P K Kunhalikutty blamed the state government for allowing the Sabarimala Sannidhanam to be turned into a political training ground for the BJP.
"BJP's action of staging an agitation at Sabarimala during the Mandalam – Makaravilakku pilgrimage cannot be justified by any means," he said.
