Sonia Gandhi at the Sivagiri Mutt, where the annual pilgrimage of the Hindu backward community of Ezhava begins.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today invoked the legacy of Kerala social reformer Sree Narayan Guru to target "those spreading communalism, bigotry and hatred." Mrs Gandhi, who is on a day's visit to Kerala, was speaking at the inauguration of the annual pilgrimage at the Sivagiri Mutt in Thiruvananthapuram.
Shree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam or SNDP founded by the social reformer in 1903 had recently allied with the BJP for the local body elections in the state. The Sivagiri Mutt, where the backward community of Ezhava begins its pilgrimage - has gained centre stage ahead of next year's assembly elections. The Ezhavas form the majority of the Hindu population in the state and have traditionally voted for the Left.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Kerala earlier this month, had met the Mutt's religious heads along with other state BJP leaders. The political significance of the Ezhava Community in the upcoming elections is reflected in the attempts being made by rival parties to earn its support.
"He emphasised on the need to refrain from religious conflicts. There can be no greater betrayal of Sree Narayana Guru's legacy by attempts being made today to spread communalism, bigotry and hatred," the Congress president said. Targeting the alliance, Mrs Gandhi said, "It would be wrong to use the educational outfits for political gains". The SNDP led by Valapally Natesan is known for its educational institutions spread across Kerala.
"Let us ensure that Kerala remains an example to the rest of the country for its communal and social harmony. Where people of different religion and faiths work together with a spirit of amity," the Congress chief said. The state, currently ruled by the Congress-led UDF government, is expected to face its next assembly election by April 2016. Though it has not won any assembly or Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, the BJP has been making steady gains in the state. It won 13 village panchayats, up from three five years ago, in the state civic body elections last month.