Dalit MLA in Kerala files complaint against ‘purification ceremony’ by Youth Congress

Ernakulam : A symbolic “purification ceremony” conducted by some Youth Congress workers in protest against a stir by a Dalit CPI MLA has triggered a controversy in Kerala with the lawmaker dubbing it
“casteist” and lodging a police complaint.

It all happened at Cherppu near Thrissur Saturday after Nattika MLA Geetha Gopi staged a sit-in in front of the a Public Works Department engineer’s office protesting against the “poor condition” of a road in the locality.

The Youth Congress activists staged a march against the MLA, alleging her protest was an act to “befool” the people in a counter-protest.

Their purification process was carried out in such a way that they sprinkled cow dung-mixed water at the place, where she had staged the sit-in, considered a symbolic purification ceremony.

State Ministers came down on the Youth Congress workers and said such acts cannot be accepted.

Kerala Cultural Minister AK Balan lashed out at the Youth Congress activists and alleged such so-called purification ceremony was usually seen in north India.

“Such acts are normally seen in north India. It cannot be accepted,” he said.

Health Minister KK Shylaja also condemned the incident and said the act against the MLA showed the “political culture” of the protesters.

Mrs Geetha Gopi has alleged the ceremony was casteist and filed a complaint with the police on Sunday.