CPI(M) slams Amit Shah's "authoritarian" Kerala speech

The CPI(M) on Sunday strongly condemned BJP chief Amit Shah's threat to dismiss Kerala government and remarks about Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, saying it exposed who was really behind the violent protests against women's entry in the temple.

In a statement, the party Polit Bureau said Shah has "blatantly" ridicules the Supreme Court judgement allowing women of 10-50 years to enter Sabarimala temple.

"In doing so, he has exposed the real hand behind the violent protests against women’s entry into Sabarimala. It is such incitement which has also led to the highly condemnable arson attack on the ashram of Swamy Sandeepananda Giri," the CPI(M) said.

It is "keeping with the RSS-BJP’s contempt for the Constitution and the Supreme Court. The threat of toppling the Kerala government if it continues to uphold the SC judgement is another display of the anti-democratic, authoritarian attitude typical of Amit Shah", the party said.

Read More: Shah's ideology uncivilised: Kerala CM

Sabarimala: Shah slams govt, says 'Emergency-like'

Sabarimala: Women entry-supporter's ashram attacked

Expressing confidence that people of Kerala will reject the "regressive and disruptive" politics of the BJP and the RSS, the CPI(M) said it will expose throughout the country the "anti-women stand" of the BJP and its upholding of the "patriarchal upper caste order".

With Kerala government initiating criminal proceedings and arrests of around 1,400 people accused of indulging in violent protests, the party said it appreciated such moves.

Shah, during his one-day visit to Kerala on Friday, had warned the government against taking action devotees who were protesting against SC order. He also said Supreme Court should only give orders which can be implemented.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday took on Shah saying CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front assumed power in Kerala with people's support and not at BJP's "mercy".