Asha Lawrence’s dismissal has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with allegations of political retaliation at the core. Her son, Milan Lawrence’s involvement in the BJP-led hunger strike in support of Sabarimala devotees has been pointed out as the proximate cause for her job termination. The CPI(M) party’s alleged act of retribution against Asha for her son’s political leanings has drawn sharp criticism. The incident underscores the escalating tension and polarized political climate in the region, further deepening the chasm between the BJP and the CPI(M).
The Sabarimala Controversy:
Milan Lawrence, Asha’s son, played a significant role in the BJP’s hunger strike organized to support the Sabarimala devotees. As an active participant, Milan stood firmly in opposition to the alleged police brutality against the devotees at Nilakkal near Sabarimala. His active role in the protests served to amplify the voices of the agitators, drawing national attention to their cause.
The political fallout of his involvement was swift and severe. Asha Lawrence, his mother, was allegedly sacked from her job at CIDCO, a state government entity, in what is widely seen as a reprisal for Milan’s political stance. This incident has stoked the flames of political rivalry in the region, deepening the divide between the BJP and the CPI(M). While the BJP has leveraged this event to rally support against the CPI(M) )-led LDF government, the CPI(M) maintains that the termination is unrelated to Milan’s political activities. This unfolding drama exemplifies the contentious and multifaceted nature of the Sabarimala controversy.
The Termination and Protests:
Asha Lawrence took a defiant stand against her termination from CIDCO. Following the news of her dismissal, she staged a protest outside the CIDCO office in Thiruvananthapuram, a clear signal of her intent to fight the decision. Her protest lasted late into the night, attracting attention from local media and the public. The peaceful protest underlined Asha’s belief that her termination was not due to her work performance but a politically motivated move linked to her son’s alignment with the BJP. The incident stoked further tension between the CPI(M) and BJP, as both parties began to use this event to rally support for their respective causes. Despite Asha’s peaceful protest and the attention it garnered, CIDCO did not reverse their decision. The standoff further underscored the deep political divide in the region. It served as a stark reminder of the personal cost of political differences during the Sabarimala controversy.
BJP’s Response to the Arrest of Sabarimala Devotees:
The BJP escalated its opposition to the arrest of Sabarimala devotees by initiating a hunger strike at the Kerala DGP’s office in Thiruvananthapuram. The party workers marched to the offices of the Superintendents of Police in all district headquarters to express their condemnation. BJP state president P. S. Sreedharan Pillai criticized the CPI(M)-led ruling government, insinuating that the party was on the brink of “liquidation.” The presence of O Rajagopal, former Union minister and the party’s lone MLA in the state assembly, at the hunger strike underscored the gravity of the BJP’s stance. The BJP also announced its plans to conduct a ‘Rath Yatra,’ a mass political rally, from Kasaragod to Pathanamthitta, where the Sabarimala temple resides, in an effort to “save the customs and traditions” of the shrine. The BJP’s active resistance and its decision to provide full support to the protesting devotees illustrate its strategic use of the issue to consolidate its base and challenge the CPI(M) ‘s governance.
Statements from BJP Leaders:
In the midst of the escalating conflict surrounding the Sabarimala controversy, BJP state president P. S. Sreedharan Pillai made waves with his strong criticisms of the CPI(M)-led government. Pillai alleged that the state government was “using police brutality” against peaceful Sabarimala devotees. He further accused the CPI(M) government of failing to respect the traditions and beliefs of the devotees, asserting that the BJP would stand in solidarity with the protestors.
On a national scale, BJP national president Amit Shah lent his voice to the growing discontent. Shah issued a strong statement of support for the devotees, denouncing the state government’s actions as an “attack on Hindu traditions.” He went on to promise that the BJP would do everything in its power to uphold the customs and traditions of Sabarimala. These statements from both state and national BJP leaders serve to rally their base and underline the party’s commitment to the cause of the devotees.
The Legal Fallout:
The Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all ages to enter the Ayyappa temple sparked widespread protests and demonstrations. As a result, there has been extensive legal fallout. More than 7,000 cases were filed against the protestors, amounting to charges against nearly 17,000 people. Notably, around 200 individuals were slapped with multiple cases. The Kerala Police arrested over 5,000 protestors in a few days to mitigate the violence and unrest. The sheer volume of these legal cases underscores the intensity of the controversy and the tumultuous aftermath of the Supreme Court verdict.
Future Outlook:
The Sabarimala temple controversy continues to evolve, with far-reaching implications. The BJP’s planned ‘Rath Yatra,’ for instance, is expected to amplify the voices of protesting devotees and increase political pressure on the state government. This mass political rally, stretching from Kasaragod to Pathanamthitta, may attract thousands of supporters and significantly heighten the visibility of the issue.
The state government’s position on women entering the shrine remains a contentious topic. Despite the Supreme Court verdict, the CPI (M)-led government faces heavy criticism and resistance to implementing the order. It is now caught in a dilemma—whether to uphold the rights of women to worship or respect the traditional customs and sentiments of the devotees. This decision could have significant political implications, potentially influencing popular support for the government and shaping the political landscape of Kerala.
Future developments will also likely involve the judicial system, as numerous legal suits and charges are still pending resolution. The controversy has raised critical questions about the intersection of religion, law, and politics in India, the outcomes of which could set important precedents for future incidents of a similar nature.
Photo credit: Mathrubhumi.com
About Post Author
