Date:23/03/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/03/23/stories/2003032301460500.htm

Southern States - Karnataka

Muthanga issue is still alive, says Cong(S) chief

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM March 22. The Congress(S) State president, Kadannappally Ramachandran, has said that the rejection of the State Government's report on Muthanga by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a big blow to the UDF Government.

At a press conference here today, he said that in spite of the strong demand for a judicial inquiry into the Muthanga developments, the gesture to call off the indefinite fast by MLAs in front of the Secretariat in the wake of the State Government deciding on a CBI inquiry, shows the practical approach of the Opposition to the whole issue.

He, at the same time, said that the Opposition has not altogether wrapped up the agitation in support of the cause of the Adivasis. The Muthanga issue is still alive. Even free ration promised to the Adivasis is not distributed.

The State Government appears to be bent upon concealing the facts behind the police action at Muthanga and this is the reason why journalists too are being targeted by the police. A memorandum by the journalists to the Chief Minister requesting an atmosphere to work in peace exposes the extent to which things have deteriorated, he said. Such developments do not augur well in a democracy.

The Congress(S) leader called upon the State Government and the Centre to extend all possible help to the Malayalis in the Gulf to ensure all facilities for those who wish to return in the wake of the Gulf war.

He was highly critical of the Congress for ``taking a weak stand'' on the V.D. Savarkar portrait issue. ``The Congress approach to the issue is both unfortunate and condemnable''. In the wake of a move to unveil Savarkar's portrait in the Maharashtra Assembly, it appears that a deep-rooted conspiracy has been hatched to project Savarkar.

On the issue of the Congress(S) getting accommodated in the LDF, Mr. Ramachandran said it is just a matter of formalities. The party is cooperating with the LDF. He at the same time is hopeful that the LDF would not simultaneously accommodate the NCP.

He alleged that the NCP is noted for its inconsistency. While the NCP leader, Sharad Pawar, severed ties with the Congress on Sonia Gandhi's nationality issue, he later took a step to the contrary. While in Maharashtra Mr. Pawar's party shares power with the Congress, it has no qualms in sharing power with the BJP in Meghalaya.

Mr. Ramachandran was here in connection with the arrival of his party's `Save Swaraj Yatra'. The Statewide yatra, launched on February 24, will conclude in Thiruvananthapuram on March 24.