Why such bias against Erattupetta?

Located near Meenachil in Kottayam district, Erattupetta is one of the places in Kerala that has greatly contributed to the socio-political-commercial history of the state. Similar to almost all towns and villages in Kerala, people here too live in peace and harmony with each other. In fact, people here are competitive when it comes to humanitarian and relief activities. The new generation in Erattupetta not only excels in traditional agri-business activities but has also shown their expertise in entrepreneurial and academic pursuits. As the gateway to the high range and a place that is close to popular tourist spots, Erattupetta, which is home to about 40,000 people, attracts both local and foreign tourists. Hence, there has been a growing need here to establish a mini civil station. The proposal submitted by the revenue department to take possession of 1.4 acres out of the 2.79 acres of land belonging to the Erattupetta police station in order to construct a revenue tower has been accepted in principle by the government.

While the decision for the same is pending, the District Police Chief's report to the State Police Commissioner has triggered controversy. The SP rejected the request on the grounds that there are religious and terrorist concerns in Erattupetta. In the report, the police chief did not elaborate on what religious issues there are in the area nor the terrorist activity there but wrote that the land was needed to build an Anti-Terrorist Centre. The rumour about terrorism will only result in putting a shadow of doubt about this region which in fact has recorded only a small number of criminal cases. In terms of population, Erattupetta has a relatively higher number of Muslims. The Sangh Parivar which is always trying to bring out fake news about the state has constantly been communally prejudiced against the region and has not kept it hidden. The report submitted by the SP is essentially giving credence to such fake news rather than giving verifiable facts.

The Sangh Parivar has been attacking Azamgarh and Aligarh, once centres of India's cultural glory, by spreading the propaganda that being Muslim-majority areas is synonymous with being problem-ridden areas. They had done the same thing in Malappuram and Lakshadweep. In this attempt they enjoyed the backing of a section of media and police personnel with vested interests. Even while religion, belief, and worship are all significant aspects of life, the Keralite mind-set prevents religion and belief from acting as barriers dividing people from one another, which is why the north Indian model of demonization fails here and Sangh Parivar's agendas do not generally succeed. However, there are enough indications in front of us that things will go awry if the police also work alongside the Kar seva. Erattupetta has been the target of several remarks and accusations from the pro-Sangh Parivar media after the Police Chief's report came to light. Certain BJP leaders claim that this region welcomes those who have served jail terms in cases related to terrorism. And this allegation was made by the leaders of a party that organized a reception for the worst terrorist criminals convicted by the court in a gang rape and murder case. The public understands that the men whom the people of Erattupetta gave a reception were those who were wrongly implicated in a terrorist case fabricated by the Sangh Parivar-police-media group and who spent years in legal battles and were finally acquitted by the apex court of the country. It is laudable that peoples representatives like Anto Anthony MP, Sebastian Kulathungal MLA and Municipal Chairperson Suhara Abdul Khader came forward along with democratic secular parties and organizations to raise their voices against the prejudiced remarks of the district Police Chief with a false accusation. The Chief Minister, who also handles the home portfolio, should take a clear stand in this regard. The government should make it unambiguously clear that it would not permit targeting any locality in Kerala based on bias and false accusations.