No intention to hurt Ezhava community: CPM on tableau row

In a bid to reduce the attention on Janmashtami pageants, the CPI(M) had taken out processions, in one of which , the party had presented a tableau showing that the Guru being crucified by two persons.

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Sree Narayana Guru was one of Kerala’s top social reformers in the early 1900s.

Under fire for presenting a tableau in which social reformer Sree Narayana Guru was depicted as being crucified, the CPI(M) on Monday said the party did not intend to hurt the Hindu Ezhava community.

In a bid to reduce the attention on Janmashtami pageants organised by Sangh Parivar, the CPI(M) had taken out processions in several parts of the state. In one such procession held at Taliparamba in Kannur, the party had presented a tableau showing that the Guru being crucified by two persons.

The tableau had created outrage from the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, a powerful Ezhava organisation in the state. The issue has also embarrassed the CPI(M) at a time the party is trying to retain its main Ezhava vote bank. The very purpose of conducting processions on Sri Krishna Jayanti under the pretext of Onam celebrations was to spoil the chances of BJP winning over the Ezhavas.

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Reacting to the tableau, Yogam general secretary Vellappally Nateshan said the CPI(M) has insulted the Guru. “Does the CPI(M) have the courage to insult the leaders of other religious communities? By crucifying Guru, the CPI(M) has reduced itself to the role of Judas Iscariot. This approach will only lead to the collapse of the party,” Nateshan said.

As the tableau controversy seemed to backfire, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said it was wrong on the part of the party workers to present such a tableau. “The CPI(M) would not go for hurting the sentiments of SNDP Yogam or its followers. CPI(M) has a large chunk of its cadres from the Ezhava community,” he said.

He said the tableau was meant to show that Guru was being crucified by the Sangh Parivar. But, it was misconstrued to attack the CPI(M).

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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