BJP on defensive over VHP's threat to Kerala school for Christmas celebration

Thiruvananthapuram: BJP in Kerala is on the defensive over the threat by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) local leaders at a school in Palakkad district for celebrating Christmas. Congress and CPM are trying to highlight it as an anti-Christian stature of the BJP.

Sandeep Varrier, who recently left BJP and joined Congress, alleged that BJP was feigning love towards Christian community. He also alleged that the VHP local leaders held for threat at the school were BJP activists.

BJP state President K Surendran reacted that a conspiracy involving someone who left the party recently was suspected. He also denied Varrier's allegation that the VHP local leaders involved in the incident were active BJP workers.

Union minister of state for minority affairs George Kurian also strongly flayed the incident and sought stringent action. Schools should celebrate festivals of all religions, said the BJP leader from Kerala.

In protest against the VHP's threat, CPM's youth outfit Democratic Youth Federation of India organised a 'harmony carol' in front of the school on Monday.

Meanwhile, a crib and other decorations at a nearby school were also found damaged by unidentified people.

The incident took place at the GBUP School in Tattamangalam which is close to the Nallepilly government upper primary school, where VHP carried out the threat. The incident came to light on Monday. The police registered a case for attempting to cause rioting against unidentified persons.