Pinarayi cedes to demands on Pooram row, orders ‘three-level’ probe, will cover ADGP role

He also announced a “three-level” probe into the episode – one by state police chief Sheikh Darvesh Sahib into the role of ADGP Kumar, second by ADGP (Crimes) H Venkatesh into “various crimes” which got revealed in Kumar’s report, and third by ADGP (Intelligence) Manoj Abraham into the possible lapses by officials of various departments as regards the festival.

Vijayan’s decision to order the probe, including into the role of ADGP Ajith, is a major concession as the Congress-led Opposition has alleged that the ADGP-RSS meeting in 2023 had led to police “disrupting” the annual festival, “contributing ” to BJP candidate Suresh Gopi’s win from the Thrissur seat in the Lok Sabha polls. Recently, ruling LDF ally CPI and CPM-backed Independent legislator P V Anvar, who last week snapped ties with the party, also echoed the Congress’s allegations.

The controversy dates back to April 19, when due to restrictions imposed by police for crowd management, a few events of the Pooram had to be abandoned half-way. Besides, for the first time in the history of the festival, a fireworks display, one of its major attractions, was held in broad daylight on April 20, instead of in its early hours. In fact, the display was organised after BJP candidate Suresh Gopi arrived on the scene and held discussions with the temple authorities early on the morning of April 20, allowing the BJP to take credit for it.

On Thursday, Vijayan said that the probe ordered soon after the episode and led by ADGP Kumar was “not comprehensive”. The findings of the report had remained under wraps till the Opposition started questioning the delay. Finally, it was only towards the end of last month that Kumar submitted the report to the state police chief.

Vijayan said: “On matters related to the Pooram, it is clear that there were attempts to torpedo the social environment in the state. It was planned with a clear aim. There are several factors in the (ADGP’s) report leading to that suspicion. The government has taken this seriously.”

The CM said one of the findings of the report was that untenable demands were made with elections in mind, and “there were certain types of interventions to spoil the Pooram”. “A lot of such things have found mention in the report… No malicious attempt to shatter the social environment can be allowed. This issue cannot be seen narrowed down as one related to a festival or celebration. It is a matter affecting the entire society,’’ Vijayan said, adding that it was essential to probe the “crimes” which had taken place and plan a system for proper conduct of the festival in the future.

At the same time, Vijayan said there was no question of removing ADGP Kumar till the DGP’s report on him had come. Denying claims that he is protecting the police officer, the CM said: “When an official has to be removed from a post over an issue, there should be a report in that regard. A person cannot be removed from a post based on an allegation. Based on the DGP’s proposed probe report, I will make my stand clear on the ADGP’s meeting with RSS leaders.”

Reacting to the three new probes ordered by Vijayan Thursday, Congress leader V D Satheesan said there should be a judicial inquiry into the Pooram controversy. “Finally, the Chief Minister has admitted that the Pooram got botched. The proposed probe by the state police chief is a farce. The festival was spoiled with the connivance of the CM. That is why the ADGP did not act on that night of Pooram. The ADGP is already facing five or six probes. Hence, if he is allowed to continue in the key post, the probe by the state police chief will turn out to be a farce. Is the job of the ADGP liaising with the Sangh Parivar?’’ Satheesan said.