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Kannur and the wages of violence

D Jose in Thiruvananthapuram

With the peace initiative launched by the Forum for People's Justice headed by former Supreme Court judge V R Krishna Iyer failing to end the political violence in Kannur district in Kerala, artistes and social workers have decided to try and do their bit. A group of artistes and social workers have come forward under the initiative of noted filmmaker K P Kumaran to undertake a journey from the state capital to the troubled areas in the northern district from December 25 to 31 to create social awareness against the cult of violence.

The journey will start from Aruvippuram, the birthplace of Kerala's revered saint and social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, who spread the message of one god-one religion. Comprising people, who have rid themselves of affiliations to caste, creed, community or ideology, the itinerary will include, as a symbolic gesture, visits to the memorials of Swami Thoppu, Ayyankali, Mahakavi Ulloor, Velu Thampi and other illustrious sons of Kerala.

The participants will also visit historically important places like Punnappra Vayalar, the Mannam Memorial at Changanacherry, Vaikam, the birth place of Shankaracharya at Kalady, Udayamperoor, Kodungalloor, Pookottoor and Thunchan Parampu. Enroute they will also call on living legends like Ponkunnam Varkey and M R Bhatathiripad. The journey will conclude at the Swadeshabhimani Memorial at Kannur on December 31.

The mission christened ammaye kaanan (in quest of the mother) is intended to stir public conscience against the mindless killings that has devastated several families, Kumaran said. The mission will not accept any patronage from political parties or social organisations. "Anyone who is interested in peace prevailing in the state can join the mission. We cannot leave matters such as peace to politicians. The whole people of the state have a responsibility to ensure peace," Kumaran exclaimed.

He told rediff.com that the mission will be an emotional journey through the length of the state aimed at trying to heal the wounds of mothers who have lost their sons to political violence. He said that the mission is in keeping with Kerala's tradition of fighting authoritarian forces. The social and cultural awareness that Keralites boast of is the result of this century-long resistance against the forces of oppression, he added.

The second half of the 19th century instilled a sense of freedom, social equanimity and democracy in the state. "These finer features of the society would be under threat if we allow the forces of violence to continue their designs," Kumaran said.

Kumaran revealed that the present situation had reached such a level that it was futile to expect the authorities to do something effective. "In fact they themselves are responsible for the deterioration of the situation. We are of the strong opinion that if the leaders of the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Bharatiya Janata Party restrain their cadres, the violence in Kannur would come to an end," he said.

Unfortunately, some of the leaders have been encouraging the violence for petty political mileage. This has to end. "We would also like to know what the all-India leaders of these parties have to say about their workers indulging in violence. The people of the state have a right to know who are doing it and who are answerable to it," he demanded.

Kumaran said that the violence in parts of Kannur has devastated the social life of the people. He said that the people in the violence-ridden areas were finding it difficult to get brides and grooms. "I have seen several families complaining about marriage proposals getting aborted due to the violence", said Kumaran, who hails from Kannur.

He said that the artistes' mission intends to awaken the authorities and the forces responsible for the violence to these painful realities people face. "Our mission is to remind them that if they do not mend their ways, the people would rise to the occasion," he warned.

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