State backed out of PM SHRI out of fear for religious extremist groups: Ramesh

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State general secretary M.T. Ramesh has alleged that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s decision to withdraw from the PM SHRI scheme was not due to pressure from the Communist Party of India (CPI), but out of fear for religious extremist organisations.

Addressing media persons here on Thursday, he said Education Minister V. Sivankutty had earlier defended the scheme before the media, and the sudden change in stance raised questions. “It is being reported that the decision was made under CPI’s pressure. But that is far from true. Even in matters of greater significance and differences, the government has never yielded to the CPI,” Mr. Ramesh said.

According to him, certain Muslim organisations, including Samastha and Jamaat-e-Islami, had publicly opposed the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme. “To please these religious outfits, the government changed its stand,” he added.

“The government should stop this hide-and-seek. Who are they afraid of? This is a direct challenge to the people of Kerala. The Left government is bowing before communal forces,” Mr. Ramesh said.

He also criticised the formation of a new subcommittee to review the PM SHRI decision. “What new fact is the subcommittee going to uncover that the Education Minister has not already seen? Saying that others in the Cabinet were unaware of the memorandum of understanding after it was signed shows a total lack of collective responsibility,” he said.