How Kerala CM is Emerging as Face of Protests Against Cattle Slaughter Ban

Thiruvananthapuram: “RSS is taking the country in a dangerous direction. They are trying to impose their idea which is not good for a democratic country,” said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a day after the news of central government banning sale of cattle for the purpose of slaughtering was aired on national television.

Vijayan, who leads the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, called for a united front against the Centre. Terming the ban ‘unconstitutional’ and encroachment on the rights of the state, Vijayan asked for an audience with all chief ministers to discuss the further course of action.

At a time when the opposition in the country has been battling for survival with the rise and rise of the Narendra Modi juggernaut, Vijayan and his strong stand on a central policy have come as a breath of fresh air.

“Pinarayi Vijayan is known as a strong leader in his state and now he is trying to emerge as a powerful leader outside of his comfort zone and take initiatives. The most important takeaway from this is that he has been appreciated for it. Look at the support he has from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,” said J Prabhash, a political observer.

“Meat is the primary source of protein for millions of poor and ordinary people in this country, particularly the Dalits. Such restrictions being imposed on the eve of Ramzan, would certainly appear to certain communities of our country as a direct attack on them. People of all faiths consume meat in our country, not just the minorities,” wrote Vijayan.

"The new rules should have been introduced in consultation with the states. The absence of efforts to take the states into confidence on such a drastic move with far reaching consequences is detrimental to our democracy. I am afraid it amounts to an intrusion into the rights of the states in our federal structure."

Reiterating that Kerala did not need food lessons from Delhi or Nagpur, he urged the PM to repeal his order. While it remains to be seen how successful Vijayan will be in rallying the opposition states, he has definitely taken the lead.

Social media has been abuzz with his staunch protest, so much so that many people from other states have asked him to be their CM. Strong backing from everyone in Kerala, including the opposition, has further upped his image as a leader.

Even as BJP state president said that the national opposition was trying to create panic and had misread the rule, state opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala wrote to the chief minister asking him to call a special session of the Assembly to bring in a legislation in this regard.

Chennithala’s call for a special session came days after some youth members from his party, Congress, were suspended by the central leadership for their protests, which included slaughtering an ox in public, against the ban. The Cabinet also decided to call a special session of the Assembly.

“It is a challenge to the diversity of the country. In Kerala, Hindus, Muslims and Christians, regardless of their faith, eat beef. If at all we stop eating it, it will be for health reasons. Religion will never be a ground. You can totally expect Kerala to rise up in protests,” said Arun Krishnan, a student from Thiruvananthapuram.

Another resident, Nithin Kunneparampil, said the impact on Kerala was very high because it was one of the leading states in beef consumption. “The politics of cow from the North is being imposed on us. We don’t consider the animal ‘Gaumata’,” he rued.

It clearly looks like Kerala is hitting moo point.