December 31st 2024.
On Tuesday, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal expressed his disapproval of Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane's derogatory remarks towards Kerala, calling it a "mini Pakistan". He condemned the use of such divisive language and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi take immediate action by sacking Rane for his "shameful" comments.
Venugopal pointed out that the BJP has a history of using hate-mongering tactics to spread venom against Kerala. He believes that the term "mini Pakistan" reflects the BJP's deep-seated animosity towards the people of Kerala. He also emphasized that the world views Kerala as a model state, with top rankings in human development indices, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. He also highlighted the state's long-standing reputation for communal harmony and peaceful coexistence among people of different religions and sects.
The Congress leader denounced the BJP's lack of respect for their own citizens by using derogatory language for a state that has produced great leaders like Sree Narayana Guru, Chattambi Swamikal, and Mahatma Ayyankali. These leaders were known for their advocacy of equality, inclusivity, and social justice. Venugopal believes that if PM Modi has any sense of shame, he should take immediate action and remove Rane from his position.
He further added that the people of Kerala have consistently rejected the BJP due to their ignorance and inability to appreciate the state's harmonious way of life. Rane's remarks only serve to reinforce this sentiment. The BJP minister had sparked controversy by stating that "all terrorists vote for Gandhis", referring to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He made these remarks at a rally in Pune, where he also referred to Kerala as "mini Pakistan".
Facing backlash for his comments, Rane defended himself by saying that he was only raising concerns about religious conversions and "love jihad" in Kerala. However, Venugopal and many others believe that his statements were unacceptable and only serve to create division and hatred among people.
In 2019, Rahul Gandhi won the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala and retained it in the 2024 elections along with his seat in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad seat in a bye-election last month. The Congress leader believes that Rane's statements are not only disrespectful towards Kerala but also towards the elected representatives of the state. He urged PM Modi to take action and restore the dignity of the people of Kerala.
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