Politics

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that in context of communal forces attempting to undermine the secular fabric of the nation, there must be a strong cultural resistance to protect the constitution and democracy. The chief minister’s remarks came while inaugurating the first Indian Cultural Congress 2025 at Rajendra Maidan, organized by the culture department. The cultural congress is a novel experience. While we are familiar with science and history congresses, such a gathering in the cultural field is unprecedented. However, the current Indian scenario compels us to convene such a congress. Kerala, with its secular heritage and long history of fighting communalism is a highly relevant venue for such an event, Vijayan said. Forces that reject constitutional values are gaining strength in the country. Moves like Citizenship Amendment Act and One Nation-One Election are part of deliberate efforts to eliminate federalism and centralize power, CM said.

As India is positioned at the centre of the Indian Ocean Region, “we bear a special responsibility”, President Droupadi Murmu said on Wednesday, and asserted that the country is committed to the idea of the oceans remaining “open, stable and rules-based”. In her address at a naval operational demonstration event here, Murmu also lauded the Navy for its combat capabilities and professionalism in ensuring India’s maritime security.She also underlined that self-reliance strengthens national security, and expressed confidence that the Navy will continue to develop indigenous technology and take India’s journey forward towards becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’. The Indian Navy on Wednesday showcased its maritime prowess and multi-domain combat capabilities with an operational demonstration off the coast of Kerala on the Shangumugham Beach here.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said he was ready for a public debate on the performance of UDF MPs from the state in the Parliament and urged the opposition front to fix a date and time for the same. The CM was responding to a question by reporters regarding a statement by AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal whether Vijayan was ready for an open debate on the matter. Venugopal’s statement was followed by the Left veteran’s recent criticism that the UDF MPs had failed to raise Kerala’s development issues in Parliament and took a stand against the state’s interests on many occasions.“Certainly I am ready (for an open debate). Let them decide the time and venue,” Vijayan said. He asked whether Venugopal was unaware of the performance of the UDF MPs from the state. He accused the UDF MPs of adopting a stand supporting the Centre’s attempt to destroy Kerala. They even gave advice to the Centre to take a stand against the state, Vijayan further alleged. He also alleged that the opposition MPs tried to get all AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) ration cards in the state abolished by raising certain questions in the Parliament after Kerala was declared an extreme poverty-free state recently.