Thiruvananthapuram, First Published Jun 14, 2022, 6:25 AM IST
Thiruvananthapuram: Why did Chief Minister Pinarayi remove the black mask from Vijayan’s programs? DGP Anil Kant sought an explanation from four district SPs for removing the black mask, including from the public. The explanation was sought from the SPs of Kannur, Kozhikode, Kottayam and Thrissur districts. The police explained that the incident became controversial, explains not to be a black mask.
The ban on an unwilling ban was withdrawn for yesterday to highlight the widespread protests. The black mask was not removed during the ceremonies attended by the Chief Minister in Kannur yesterday. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Sunday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. The black masks of many were removed. The mask was given instead. Those dressed in black were not allowed into the event. Instead, protesters, including opposition MLAs and activists, wore black masks and dresses.
That ban, however, did not materialize at the event in Taliparamba yesterday. In the event attended by the Chief Minister in Kila, those wearing black masks and costumes were able to come to the audience without any hindrance.
The Chief Minister’s Office had on Saturday informed itself that black masks would not be banned. However, the police had also removed the black mask in Malappuram yesterday. With LDF convener EP Jayarajan justifying the police action, the incident was a hot topic in party circles. Some even decided to go to court citing civil rights violations. After this, the police lifted the black mask ban in Kannur.
‘Nobody gets in the way, black clothes are not banned’
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said at a public function in Kannur yesterday that he did not intend to provide security to anyone by blocking the way. A group is spreading false propaganda that the police are blocking the way and suggesting that certain types of clothing should not be worn. Addressing a function at the Library Working State Conference in Kannur yesterday, the Chief Minister said that some forces were carrying out false propaganda with vested interests and that the campaign to ban black masks and clothes was part of it.
In the words of the Chief Minister:
A section of the people in Kerala have won the right to hide and walk. In Kerala, which has a history of such struggles, there is a fierce propaganda that something is blocking the way here. There is no reason why anyone should not be denied the freedom to walk in this country. There may be some forces wanting something that interacts with society in the old way of thinking. But Prabudha Kerala will not accept that.
Many of the participants in this event were dressed differently. Another propaganda that has been going on for the last few days is the propaganda that has come up to mislead the society that a particular color should not be worn in Kerala. The propaganda is that masks and clothes cannot be black. Everyone in Kerala has the right to dress in any style and color they like. Earlier, there were many struggles in Kerala where many people did not have the right to swim below the knee and did not have the right to cover their breasts. Our country has become a part of it. There is no question of such a right being violated here. How misleading it is that some forces propagate certain things with vested interests. As part of this, the government of Kerala is campaigning against the wearing of black clothes and masks.
In Kerala, it is the Left government. The Left was at the forefront of achieving all the features we see in Kerala today. When that government exists, there will be no stand in Kerala that one cannot wear a special dress. It is time to rely on false stories as there is nothing left to discredit the government. It must be recognized that these are all false propaganda. The government will be with us to preserve the uniqueness of our country in every possible way, and we are committed to that. “We will take action against the forces that fabricate false stories and take positive action,” he said.
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Last Updated Jun 14, 2022, 6:28 AM IST
