Kasaragod (Kerala), February 8 Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called for a united action against communalism on Sunday and urged secular people from all religions to stand together against divisive forces.
He said that communalism poses a serious threat to pluralism and the multi-religious fabric of society, while addressing a large gathering that had converged here as part of the centenary conference of Samastha.
Samastha Kerala Jamiyyatthul Ulama, commonly known as Samastha, is an association of prominent Sunni scholars who enjoy the highest support base among Kerala Muslims.
Vijayan said that only secular platforms can effectively counter communalism.
Otherwise, it will only strengthen communal parties.
He also urged secular-minded individuals in all religions and minority communities to stand together against communalism.
Praising Samastha, Vijayan said that the organization has taken a firm stand against terrorism and extremism and has contributed to strengthening secularism.
Organizations like Samastha have stood alongside reform movements in shaping Kerala as a secular society and have acted without provocation even in matters related to faith-based reforms.
He said that these factors have significantly strengthened the culture of secularism in society.
Vijayan said that Samastha's position that communalism can only be countered by standing with secular forces and that communalism should not be answered with communalism is highly relevant in the present social environment.
The chief minister further said that attempts to destroy India's multi-religious structure and plural cultural heritage must be viewed seriously.
In what appeared to be a criticism of the BJP-led union government, he said that efforts are being made to dismantle the country's diversity and mould it into a monolithic structure based on one religion, language, culture, and so on.
He said that this attempt must be resisted at all costs.
Vijayan said that this is a time when even religion is being used as a criterion for citizenship, and asserted that this cannot be allowed.
He also cautioned against moves to selectively brand and imprison certain people in the name of citizenship.
Reiterating that Kerala would not adopt such measures, he said that it has already been made clear that no one would be detained in a detention camp in the state in the name of citizenship.
Meanwhile, Samastha president Sayyid Muhamad Jifri Muthukoya Thangal said that the Muslim community works for the development of the nation and its citizens.
He said that Samastha is an organization committed to protecting the spirituality and faith of the Muslim community.
He appealed to Sunni organizations that had distanced themselves from Samastha to return to the fold and function in line with its directions.
Emphasizing tolerance, Thangal said that there should be no violence from the community's side.
"Even if others come to attack, we should show tolerance," he said.
He also reiterated that the community should work for the development of the nation and the well-being of its citizens.
Karnataka deputy chief minister D Sivakumar and Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan were among those who participated.
