Arvind Kejriwal praises Pinarayi Vijayan for confronting divisive forces successfully
- Kejriwal praised Pinarayi Vijayan for successfully confronting communal issues in Kerala
- Though he did not name any party or individual, Kejriwal was referring to BJP-CPM issues in Kerala
- Kejriwal said the situation demanded unity among parties to fight the forces polarising the society
FollowDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has praised his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan for successfully confronting those forces that are trying to create communal issues in the state. He said that Pinarayi had been successful in dealing with the factors that are trying to divide Kerala people in the name of caste and religion.
Kejriwal said the situation demanded unity among parties to fight the forces polarising the society. Though he did not name any party or individual, it is evident that Kejriwal was referring to BJP-CPM issues in Kerala. BJP and Kerala Chief Minister have been accusing each other of unleashing political violence against the workers of the other party in the state.
"I salute the Kerala CM for confronting all those forces that are trying to divide people. Our strength is our unity in diversity. No one likes hatred. We are people who support love and like to live in harmony," Kejriwal said.
Vijayan said this was a "time in which those speaking truth are targeted", referring to the killings of activist- journalist Gauri Lankesh in September and rationalist M M Kalburgi in August 2015.
More than 40 percussionists performed the 300-year-old art form Chenda melam at the cultural event. The chief guests were welcomed with Theyyam - a popular ritual dance form of North Malabar in Kerala. Scores of people attended the event.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said though politically and geographically both the states were separated, culturally both were alike.
"With this event, we have to show the unity. I do not believe in one nation, one tax, but I do believe in one nation, one culture," Sisodia said.
The Kerala Delhi Cultural Heritage Fest, an initiative of Kerala government under Cultural Exchange Programme, would continue for two more days in Connaught Place, NDMC Hall, and the Kerala House.
Kejriwal said the Delhi government would organise a similar event in Kerala in February next year.
(With inputs from PTI)
