ALAPPUZHA: The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), as part of its campaign against ‘trading of spiritualism’ and superstition, will set up a ‘Nava Kerala Samithi’ at the panchayat, municipal and corporation levels in the State.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, DYFI State Secretary T.V. Rajesh said the constitution of the samithi’s branches would be completed by July 15. The body, which would continue its activities till the aims were met, was open to people from all religions and walks of life.
Congregations of inter-caste/inter-religion couples, weddings sans luxury and extravaganza and mass marriages would be among the activities of the samithi, Mr. Rajesh said, adding that campaigns against use of drugs and alcohol would also be part of the agenda.
Stating that the youth in Kerala had become “bar-attached” and in the grip of an alcohol-driven mafia, Mr. Rajesh said the DYFI would not hesitate to take action against any of its leaders or activists who accepted dowry.
On the textbook controversy, the DYFI leader said the issue was part of ‘polarisation attempts’ by certain communal forces. In the midst of that, private education traders were pushing students out on to the streets to further their agenda.
Alleging that certain religious forces ‘clad in robes’ were trying to inject communalism into the minds of children, Mr. Rajesh said ‘cheap’ politicians were taking help from such people to create religious rifts in society.
The DYFI and its allied student organisations would not allow such attempts to break the secular fabric of the State. Citing critical reports on student politics, Mr. Rajesh demanded that the media clarify its stance on the issue. Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy too should clarify his position on politics on the campus.