THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Why does Opposition get worked up over criticism on SDPI attacks, asked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the Assembly on Monday. He was referring to individuals indicted in the case for attacks during anti-CAA protests. Most organisations held largely peaceful protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) , CM reminded.
Mahalla Committees have carried out several protests and kept vigil to ensure they were peaceful. Then there is this group that goes by the name SDPI. Radical elements have crept into this outfit creating trouble at places. The govt responded with necessary measures to restrain such menaces. As a part of this, the police may have initiated actions against some individuals.
It is only natural that those involved in assaults or unlawful activities have to face consequences for their actions. So why should Opposition vex over references to SDPI? The response indicates move to give CAA protest a communal dimension, said CM. No kind of violence shall be encouraged, he emphasised.
No one has ever been booked for holding lawful protests. However excesses like vandalizing post-office in the name of protest would be met with stringent legal action, said Pinarayi.
Mahalla Committees should watch out for SDPI creeping into their protests. Terrorists gangs could unleash rampage and change the course of protests under cover of anti-CAA demonstration, Chief Minister warned.
