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Jun 16, 2023

Kerala CPM neta makes U

MV Govindan (left) and K Surendran (right) | Image: Twitter After claiming that the Kerala CPI(M) will stick to its stance of defining Lord Ganapati and the Pushpak Vimana as myths, party state

MV Govindan (left) and K Surendran (right) | Image: Twitter

After claiming that the Kerala CPI(M) will stick to its stance of defining Lord Ganapati and the Pushpak Vimana as myths, party state secretary Govindan made a swift U-turn on the subject. Speaking to the media in Delhi, the Communist leader said, "I never said Ganapati is a myth, my statements were distorted and bits and pieces of it were taken out of context to construe it as an allegation that I called Ganapati a myth."

The Congress, which is in Opposition in Kerala, was quick to welcome the decision. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said he welcomes Govindan's correction. "I am glad that Govindan has finally backtracked on his statement. I welcome the change. Congress is a party that believes not to intrude into anyone's faith and question it. Congress embraces all the religions and CPIM, although a little late has withdrawn it, which is welcome," he said.

The Congress leader further said Kerala Speaker AN Shamsheer should also withdraw his comment. "Yesterday, Shamsheer had said since party secretary Govindan made his stance clear, I do not have anything more to say. Now that Govindan has corrected it, It would be good practice for Shamseer also to immediately withdraw the statement."

Meanwhile, BJP president K Surendran also reacted to the corrective statements of Govindan saying that it is not enough. He demanded an apology from the Left leaders, including Shamseer, for hurting Hindu religious sentiments.

The statements made by Shamseer during a public function on July 20 had caused much political uproar in the state. Rallies were taken out by BJP Yuva Morcha. Soon, Hindu community-based organisations like the Nair Service Society and SNDP also came forward to condemn Shamseer. It was in the wake of this that the CPIM state secretary upped his ante against the protest and seconded Shamseer's claims.

The NSS had warned that a faith protection protest along the lines of the 2018 Sabarimala protest would be organised.