Furore erupts after RSS journal calls Kerala 'godless country'

A huge uproar has been created after an article appeared in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh journal Organiser, which states that Hindus in Kerala lack “a collective consciousness of Godliness”, and rationalists in the state “often attack everything dear to Hinduism” with their “street activism”.

The article, titled ‘Kerala: God’s own country or godless country’, is written by Mumbai-based lawyer M Surendra Nathan. The article says Kerala has seen over 50 years of Communist activism, and its ideology of violence, atheism and purported rationalism has reached everywhere in the state.

The article also states that Kerala “has the highest number of youths of opposite sex living together without marriage” and alleges that former additional solicitor general Indira Jaising “a militant feminist and Bharat’s foremost communist ideologue” is responsible for the “widespread” live-in relationships in the state. 

Political parties in Kerala have slammed the article. Communist Party of India-Marxist politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan said the article is a challenge to the state’s history, culture and the self-respect of its people. “The article should be seen as the Sangh Parivar’s war cry against the people of the state. The article is spreading lies about Kerala,” Vijayan said.