Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan delivered a powerful call for a united cultural front to safeguard India's secular and democratic principles. He issued this urgent appeal while inaugurating the groundbreaking first Indian Cultural Congress 2025 at Rajendra Maidan in Kochi, an event organized by the state's culture department.
A Novel Gathering for Critical Times
The Chief Minister described the Cultural Congress as a novel and necessary experiment. He noted that while science and history congresses are familiar, a dedicated congregation in the cultural field is unprecedented. The current socio-political scenario in the country, however, compels such an initiative. Vijayan emphasized that Kerala, with its profound secular heritage and long history of combating communalism, is a profoundly relevant venue for this landmark event.
Forces Threatening the Secular Fabric
Vijayan expressed deep concern over active attempts by communal forces to dismantle the secular structure of Indian culture, which has historically ensured peaceful coexistence among diverse communities. He stated that forces rejecting constitutional values are gaining strength nationwide.
He specifically cited moves like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal as part of deliberate efforts to eliminate federalism and centralize power. The CM warned that institutions meant to preserve knowledge, culture, history, art, and heritage are now being aligned with a particular ideology.
Resistance as a Democratic Duty
The Chief Minister argued that when governance itself is weaponized to dismantle pluralism, silence dissent, and normalize hatred, resistance transforms from an option into a duty. He highlighted the alarming infringement on creative freedom, pointing to the situation where autonomous bodies like the Sahitya Akademi require central government approval even for awarding literary prizes.
Vijayan painted a grim picture of an environment where intellectuals and artists face grave threats for taking principled stands. He invoked the murders of rationalists and journalists like Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, M M Kalburgi, and Gauri Lankesh as tragic examples. In such a climate, he lamented, independent thought is increasingly perceived as a crime.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister reminded the gathering that art and literature are not mere ornaments but the conscience of society. He made a fervent appeal, urging artists, writers, and all cultural workers to come forward as protectors of the foundational idea of India, its secularism, and its democracy.
