Kollam: The protest mode adopted out by the Mahila Morcha, an outfit of the BJP, by sprinkling cowdung water in the venue in which Kodikkunnil Suresh, MP, conducted a hunger strike, has attracted widespread protests tagging it as an act of “racism”. Kottarakkara Police has registered a case against the activists on Friday. The Congress Kottarakkara block committee condemned the act citing it as evidence of the existence of the caste system in the BJP which provoked them to “cleanse” the venue which turned “impure” as Kodikkunnil Suresh belonged to a backward caste.
The Kottarakkara Police has registered a case under sections of IPC 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (punishment for rioting), section 149 (section under unlawful assembly), 153A (promoting enmity between various groups on ground of race), and subsequent sections SC/ST prevention of atrocities act 1989, based on a petition filed by Congress workers. “The anti-Dalit approach of the BJP has been revealed through the heinous act. This took place at a time when it has become news that BJP workers are attacking and killing Dalits across the country. They should do this in the venue where Kummanam Rajasekharan speaks as part of his march,” said O. Rajan, Congress block president. Kodikkunnil Suresh had on Tuesday staged a 24-hour hunger strike at the Kottarakkara railway station raising various developmental issues of Kollam – Punalur stretch alleging apathy by the Madurai division.
