Kerala CM urged to clarify stance on PM SHRI scheme by BJP
BJP demanded Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan clarify his position on PM SHRI scheme after a statement by Panchayat Minister K. M. Shaji. The party linked silence to alleged IUML/Jamaat-e-Islami influence and criticized campus violence and handling by authorities.
Key takeaways
- BJP veteran P. K. Krishnadas demanded a public clarification from Kerala CM V. D. Satheesan on PM SHRI after minister K. M. Shaji’s remarks.
- Krishnadas alleged UDF alignment with IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami and linked the issue to other governance and campus incidents.
- The BJP criticized the handling of a violent incident at Kalady Sanskrit University and claimed delayed police intervention.
- The PM SHRI scheme is described as an initiative to promote academic excellence via science and technology.
What Happened
A national BJP executive committee member, P. K. Krishnadas, pressed Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan to state his position on the PM SHRI scheme following a remark by Panchayat Minister K. M. Shaji that the scheme should be ‘flushed down the drain.’ Krishnadas said Satheesan had remained silent two days after Shaji’s comments and suggested the UDF’s stance on PM SHRI, whether as an academic opportunity or otherwise, needed public clarification. He argued the scheme aims to promote academic excellence in students through science and technology tools and warned that denying opportunities to Kerala’s students would be unjust.
The BJP leader also claimed the UDF’s policies are influenced by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Jamaat-e-Islami, citing other incidents to bolster the charge of a religiously divisive agenda. He alleged a national song, Vande Mataram, was dishonoured during Kerala’s Independence Day celebrations, which he tied to the same ideological critique. Krishnadas further criticized the government for not acting against campus violence at Kalady Sanskrit University, where a female vice-chancellor from a minority community was allegedly assaulted by SFI activists. He asserted police interventions were delayed and only occurred after the governor contacted the DGP following the VC’s complaint.
Krishnadas added that the Congress and UDF had not condemned the campus violence and instead aligned with the same groups he implicated. He also asserted that the BJP strongly condemned the violence against women and what he described as hooliganism by SFI.
Why It Matters
The BJP frames Satheesan’s position on PM SHRI as a litmus test for the state government’s handling of central schemes and perceived ideological influences. By linking the PM SHRI dispute to campus violence and anti-Government protests, the party seeks to cast doubt on the UDF’s commitment to central government programs and to portray the administration as swayed by minority-led groups. The episode also highlights tensions over the deployment and oversight of campus security and the response of state authorities to political disputes.
Background
The PM SHRI scheme is described by Krishnadas as a program intended to advance academic excellence using science and technology tools. He framed the kerala government’s stance as consequential for access to central government opportunities for local students. The remarks reference broader political friction in Kerala involving the UDF, IUML, Jamaat-e-Islami, and actions by student groups such as SFI. A separate incident cited involves the assault on a woman vice-chancellor at Kalady Sanskrit University.
Key Facts
- P. K. Krishnadas, a BJP national executive committee member, demanded Kerala CM V. D. Satheesan clarify his stand on PM SHRI scheme after Panchayat Minister K. M. Shaji’s remark that the scheme should be flushed down the drain.
- Krishnadas said Satheesan had not publicly commented two days after Shaji’s statement.
- He claimed the UDF’s policies are influenced by IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami and criticized the handling of Vande Mataram at Kerala’s Independence Day celebrations as part of a divisive agenda.
- He alleged a lack of effective police intervention in an assault on a woman vice-chancellor at Kalady Sanskrit University, with action reportedly occurring only after the VC’s complaint to the Governor and the Governor’s contact with the DGP.
- Krishnadas condemned campus violence and hooliganism by SFI and stated the BJP’s opposition to such acts and to what he termed religiously divisive conduct.
What Happens Next
There is no explicit next-step timetable in the material. The report notes continued public calls from BJP for the Chief Minister to state his position on PM SHRI and a reiteration of concerns about political influence, campus violence, and government response, but no announced government reaction or scheduled meeting is documented in the provided material.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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