JNU row echoes in Kerala Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 18: The arrest of JNU students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar and related developments echoed in Kerala Assembly today as CPI(M)-led LDF opposition raised the issues while seeking permission for an adjournment motion against the death of a party activist killed in an attack allegedly by RSS functionaries.

Senior CPI(M) leader S Sharma alleged that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, RSS and Bajrang Dal activists were having a "free-run" in the country.

He referred to the recent attack at the Supreme Court premises recently and said the attackers had not even spared the apex court-appointed commission. "CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury received death threat. Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal also had to face their ire," Sharma said.

The leader also alleged that the UDF government in the state was supporting the "terror" unleashed by the RSS. A M Ariff (CPI-M), who gave notice for the adjournment motion in connection with the death of CPI(M) activist Shibu in Alappuazha district recently, said though it was evident that RSS activists were behind his death, police was reluctant to register murder charges against them.

Congress was also a part in the RSS conspiracy against CPI(M) in the state, he alleged. Stating that it was difficult for even the Supreme Court to function properly due to the RSS "terror" in the country, he said the attack against CPI(M) offices in Punjab and Delhi were proof for this. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, in his reply, said the death of Shibu was not a 'political murder'. The minister said Shibu was killed by drug mafia in the area as a revenge for lodging a complaint against them with the police.

PTI