VHP Announces Legal Challenge Against Kerala Government's Koshy Commission Report Implementation
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a strong objection to the Kerala state government's recent decision to implement the recommendations of the JB Koshy commission report. Speaking at a press conference in Kochi on Friday, VHP secretary general Bajrang Lal Bagra declared the organization's firm opposition, labeling the report as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Allegations of Unconstitutional Content and Vote Bank Politics
Bagra asserted that the JB Koshy commission report contains content that is not only unconstitutional but also disproportionately favorable to the Christian community, driven by political interests. He accused the state government of accepting the commission's findings as a strategic move in vote bank politics, prioritizing electoral gains over constitutional integrity.
"The state government's acceptance of the Koshy commission report is a clear example of vote bank politics," Bagra stated, emphasizing that the VHP will pursue legal avenues to challenge this decision. He warned that implementing the report's recommendations could have far-reaching consequences.
Concerns Over Reservation and Religious Conversion
A primary concern raised by Bagra is the report's recommendation to allow caste certificates based on the suggestions of Latin Catholic bishops. He argued that this could pave the way for large-scale religious conversion, undermining the existing reservation system. Bagra explained that reservations are constitutionally designated for Scheduled Castes within Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain communities, and extending them to the Christian community would be a planned attempt to alter this framework.
"This won't be accepted under any circumstances," he declared, highlighting the VHP's commitment to opposing any changes to the reservation policy that they deem unconstitutional.
Demand for Temple Management Reform
Beyond the Koshy commission report, Bagra also addressed broader issues concerning Hindu temple management in India. He called for the government to withdraw from managing Hindu temples, advocating that control should be handed over to the believers of each respective religious sect. Bagra cited incidents like the gold looting in Sabarimala as examples of mismanagement that could continue if reforms are not implemented.
"No matter which religious sect the temples belong to, their management should be handed over to believers of the respective sect," he emphasized, linking this demand to the need for better governance and protection of religious assets.
Comments on 'Kerala Story-2' and Cultural Issues
During the press conference, Bagra also touched upon the controversial movie Kerala Story-2. He stated that the film highlights significant issues, including love jihad, which he believes exist in the region. Bagra cautioned against trivializing these concerns, particularly in discussions about beef consumption, which he disputed as being part of Kerala's culture.
"It shouldn't be trivialized just in the name of beef, and I don't believe that eating beef is a culture of Kerala," he remarked, reinforcing the VHP's stance on cultural and religious matters.
VHP Leadership Presence and Unified Stance
The news conference saw the participation of several key VHP leaders, including international joint secretary G Sthanumalayan, Kerala unit working president V R Rajasekharan, and state general secretary Anil Vilayil. Their collective presence underscored the organization's unified opposition to the Kerala government's decision and its broader agenda on temple management and cultural issues.
The VHP's announcement sets the stage for a potential legal and political confrontation over the implementation of the Koshy commission report, with implications for reservation policies and religious dynamics in Kerala.
