Protests against Modi's visit to Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 28: Several Muslim organisations and youth wings of the Communist parties have decided to go ahead with protest against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kerala tomorrow to attend the 'Vishal Hindu Mahasammelan' even as the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has rejected the demand to ban his trip.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M), has called for a state-wide protest by observing a ''black day'' tomorrow and the minority groups are preparing for protest marches across the state.

The Muslim organisations, well ahead of Mr Modi's visit, had lodged a strong protest with the state government against the visit.

The National Development Front (NDF), a Muslim outfit, urged both the ruling and the opposition leaders to take steps to prevent a ''major crisis'' by stopping Mr Modi's visit.

The NDF, spearheading the anti-Modi campaign, had even said they would continue protests till the government banned Mr Modi's entry into the state.

Several posters decrying the visit and asking the government to stop him from entering Kerala were seen across the state.

Even as the protests continue, the Kerala Government rejected the demand for banning the visit. State Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said the government could not ban the visit of a Chief Minister of another state.

He also warned any attempt to foment communal trouble in this context would be dealt with sternly.

Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the government would take stringent action against ''certain elements'' trying to create communal rift in the name of the proposed visit. The LDF, which met yesterday, had decided not to ban Mr Modi's visit. ''Let Mr Modi come and go. If a ban is imposed, then it could create more troubles than what happens after his visit,'' LDF Convenor Vaikom Vishwan told reporters after the LDF meeting.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made across the state and security had been tightened in sensitive areas, an official said.

Tension prevailed at Tirur and Thanur in Muslim dominated Malappuram district, where one person was killed and several others injured in clashes between two communities. Though peace had been restored there, tension still prevailed and prohibitory orders were in force.

A similar situation had also witnessed in Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram district when some unidentified people pelted stones at a VHP march in connection with the 'Mahasammelan'.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), organisers of the 'Mahasammelan', alleged the CPI(M) and the NDF were unnecessarily creating problem and tension in connection with Mr Modi's visit.

The CPI(M) had alleged the RSS, BJP and the NDF were unleashing violence and asked democratic and secular forces to come out against the bid by religious extremists to ''foment communal trouble.'' The BJP State General Secretary A N Radhakrishnan had said the party had a clear vision on Mr Modi's visit and the Gujarat Chief Minister did not need anybody's generosity as in a democratic set up he had the right to visit all over the country freely.

Mr Modi is coming on an invitation by the state unit of the RSS to participate in the 'Vishala Hindu Mahasammelan'. A somewhat similar incident took place in the state earlier during the Congress-led United Democratic Front's rule when strong protests against an impending visit by VHP Leader Praveen Togadia forced him to change his plans.

UNI