Modi Loses His Voice in Kerala, But Vows to Protect Faith

PM promises constitutional protection for faith amid Sabarimala row.

Kozhikode: After hectic campaigning in the north for the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP’s mascot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lost his voice when he came to Kerala. He was not his fiery self as he launched a massive Vijay Sankalp rally in Kozhikode last night.

But despite the bad throat, Modi promised people of Kerala that the BJP will not allow the aggression on faith and beliefs in the name of Supreme Court verdict.

Without naming Sabarimala, Modi said that BJP would try to explain before the Supreme Court the age-old traditions and rituals of Kerala.

“Our government will also try to give constitutional protection to beliefs,” he said. “If the UDF and LDF think that they can destroy our tradition, they are mistaken. BJP stands with Kerala, BJP stands with Kerala’s faith.”

Sabarimala is an emotional poll issue in Kerala.

The Supreme Court had in September last allowed women of childbearing age—defined as those aged between 10 and 50—to visit and offer prayers at the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, sparking tension in the state.

While the CPM-led LDF government has been favouring the implementation of the court order, the BJP and other Hindu outfits, and the opposition UDF have been opposed to the entry of women against the temple tradition.

Modi said some people, on political grounds, do not differentiate faith and aggressions such as triple talaq.

“Both the UDF and LDF have double standards when it comes to women’s rights. They claim to advocate women’s rights but are silent when it comes to aggressions (on women) like triple talaq,” he said.

The Prime Minister said India had successfully resisted onslaughts on faith for centuries. “Foreign forces tried to destroy our culture, but they didn’t succeed,” he said.

Modi said mischief-mongers were trying to make Kerala a laboratory to experiment their designs.

“The same forces are trying to attack our faith in the name of Supreme Court verdict. We won’t allow this aggression on faith; lathis falling on believers cannot be brooked. Believers are trying to protect their beliefs in their own land in a peaceful manner,” he said.

Candidates from Kasaragod to Palakkad shared the dais with the Prime minister at the rally, his first in the state.

Modi is expected to come to the state once more before the April 23 elections.