Kerala: Palakkad Municipal Corporation Members Lock Horns Over Naming Of Disabled Centre After RSS Leader

In a recent council meeting held at the Palakkad Municipal Corporation, tempers flared and chaos ensued over a contentious resolution to name a new skill development centre for the disabled after Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, the founder of the RSS. The proposal, put forward by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), met with strong resistance from members of the Congress and the Left parties, leading to a disruptive session filled with physical confrontations and damage to council property.

The disagreement turned physical as eyewitnesses recounted scenes of councillors from opposing factions, including the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF), engaging in altercations. These clashes involved the use of slippers as weapons and resulted in the destruction of municipal property. Despite the upheaval, the BJP succeeded in passing the resolution, igniting further protests from the opposition benches.

Accusations and Reactions Following the Clash

Krishna Das, the Vice-Chairman of the Palakkad Municipality and a leader of the BJP, accused the Congress and CPM members of intentionally causing disruption. "Palakkad Municipality wanted to launch a skill development centre for the disabled, but even that was disrupted by the Congress and CPM. Today, during the council meeting, the chairman invited all parties for a discussion. But instead of debating the matter, the UDF and LDF members created a ruckus, tried to manhandle the chairman, and damaged municipal property," he stated. This allegation highlights the depth of the divide between the political factions within the council.

The opposition, on their part, criticized the move to name the centre after Hedgewar, deeming it a politically charged decision aimed at promoting RSS ideology through civic institutions. They called for a reconsideration of the naming, labeling it as "divisive" and "inappropriate" for a facility dedicated to public welfare. The incident, which required police intervention to restore order, has not led to any reported serious injuries. However, it has resulted in widespread criticism from various quarters of civil society, particularly after video footage of the skirmishes went viral online.