Vijayan hits out at Bhagwat over unity remarks, flags caste, communal divisions
CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday hit out at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over his remarks on unity and diversity, alleging that caste discrimination and communal divisions persisted in India.
In a post on X, the former Keralam chief minister said Bhagwat spoke in New York about “one humanity”, equal dignity and an inclusive Hindutva, while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was allegedly subjected to a “purification” ritual in Haldwani because of his Dalit identity.
“At home, Mallikarjun Kharge is allegedly subjected to a ‘purification’ ritual in Haldwani because of his Dalit identity, while Dalits and minorities face atrocities every day,” he claimed.
Vijayan also referred to the alleged death of a Dalit man in police custody in Uttar Pradesh and said India did not need “sermons on unity abroad” while caste and communal divisions persisted at home.
He alleged that the RSS’ “communal, casteist and divisive ideology” perpetuated social divisions and pitted communities against one another.
“This must be confronted in defence of our Constitution and equal rights,” Vijayan said.
His remarks came a day after Bhagwat addressed more than 6,000 members of the Indian-American community and interfaith leaders at a rally at the Infosys Theatre in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Addressing the gathering, Bhagwat said “unity in diversity” was in “Bharat’s DNA” and called for diversity to be celebrated, respected and accepted.
