The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) decision to hold its first critical coordination meeting in Palakkad, Kerala, is highly symbolic. Reflecting the Sangh’s efforts to bridge the gap between the North and the South, Palakkad is also one of the districts in the state that has recently seen a surge in saffron despite Communist and Congress dominance.
In Palakkad, located in a remote corner of Kerala, more than 30 RSS swayamsevaks have been killed in political violence. The choice of venue underscores the RSS’ determination to assert its presence in Kerala, especially in an area that has been facing relentless hostility, including from the PFI (Popular Front of India) which is now banned by the government.
According to a senior RSS official, the meeting was not just a strategic move, but a statement of the Sangh’s resilience and determination to expand its influence in the southernmost state. “The backdrop of the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Samanvaya Baithak, which began on Saturday, is an important moment in the history of Kerala’s Renaissance and the expression of Kerala’s identity. Images of Adi Shankaracharya, Shankara Stupa at Kaladi, Sree Narayana Gurudeva in the background of Sivagiri and Naranath Bhrantan of Parajipeta Panthirukulam filled the stage on the opening day,” he said.
“Pandit Karuppan’s backwater conference, Mahatma-ji’s visit to the site of Vaikom Satyagraha agitation, Mahatma Ayyankali’s bullock cart attack, the freedom struggle led by Pazhassi Raja and the tribal people of North Kerala, Veluthambi’s brave fight in Travancore, and Marthandavarma’s victory in the Colachel battle will be the background of the board in the next few days,” he said.
Palakkad dating in various communities
Palakkad is the only district in Kerala where the BJP won the Palakkad municipality, one of the six civic bodies in the district. Palakkad municipality has 52 seats and the party is currently in power after winning 28 in the 2020 civic elections.
However, KM Haridas, BJP district president in Palakkad, navigated a complicated political landscape as the party strengthened its foothold in an area marked by different religious communities and rising tensions. The district, which covers 88 panchayats and seven municipalities, has seen significant BJP activity, with 122 panchayat members and 28 ward members spread across the municipal area.
The Christian community in Palakkad and elsewhere is increasingly worried, especially with the specter of ‘love jihad’ and the spate of killings in the past two years creating a climate of fear, Haridas told News18, sitting in the grand, renovated space. party district office.
These communities, which comprise a significant section of the population, have traditionally shunned the BJP. However, this year, it is estimated that a good percentage of the community will vote for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, said S Padmanavan, another senior party leader in the district.
Community Counseling
Palakkad is home to 176 churches, serving various Christian denominations. The Roman Catholic community has only 26,000 families, while the Orthodox Church has 21 churches with 4,000 families. In addition, the Mar Thoma Church, with 15 churches, supports 3,000 families, and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, with 10 churches, includes 2,000 families.
In an effort to instill goodwill, BJP members, under the leadership of Haridas, have engaged the community during major religious festivals, such as Easter and Christmas, by making house visits and sharing cakes. Similar outreach efforts have been made to the Muslim community during Ramadan and Eid, Padmanabhan said.
“Palakkad is also the site of the Smart City initiative, reflecting the importance of the district. As we continue this outreach, the party’s strategy will focus on addressing the issues of the religious community and expanding its influence in the district,” Haridas said.
