Ramesh Chennithala's appointment as chief trustee of women wall leads to protest at Kerala Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has been removed from the chief trustees of the 'women wall' organised by the Kerala government. The decision to include Chennithala was taken during the organisation meeting in the presence of state minister Thomas Isaac.

Chennithala had earlier protested against the decision to make him a part of the 'women wall'. As per reports, Ramesh Chennithala had called district collector S Suhas and informed his stand on the matter. Chennithala also said to media that it is not right to make him the chief trustee without his permission.

ALSO READ: BJP leader blames Kerala government for Ayyappa devotee's suicide attempt

Meanwhile, the organisers explained that Chennithala was included since he was an MLA and  that legislators and MPs from the district are chief trustees by default.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is all set to form a 'million women’s wall' on January 1, which is starting from Kasargod all the way to Thiruvananthapuram. This is a program initiated by the chief minister to seek support on the initiatives undertaken by the government. TM Thomas Isaac, the finance minister, sought people’s help to build the 600-km long human wall. Vijayan has sent out invitations to over 150 social groups.

The other leaders included in the list are G Sudhakaran, Thomas Isaac and P Thilothaman. He is a representative from Harippad. 

The opposition parties' MLAs began an indefinite hunger strike in front of the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram against the government’s stand to not discuss the temple issue in the Assembly. They have been protesting for the past 11 days. MLAs VS Sivakumar, Parakkal Abdulla and AS Jayarajan even performed ‘satyagraha’ in front of the Assembly.

Chennithala said the government not holding talks with the MLAs is like insulting democracy. The UDF would go forward with its protests for the devotees in Sabarimala, he said.  

Meanwhile, verbal disputes were witnessed in the Assembly over UDF minister MK Muneer’s statement terming 'women’s wall' as ‘communal wall’. The Assembly proceedings were stalled after opposition and ruling members trooped to the well of the house. The protests were witnessed on the last day of the 13th session of the 14th Assembly. 

MK Muneer said that if the Berlin Wall had collapsed then this wall will also face the same fate. Muneer had stated that the people would rout the wall to be formed by Vellappally Natesan and Sugathan. The opposition boycotted the Assembly proceedings following protests witnessed in the Assembly. The MLAs came outside and shouted slogans. However, the Speaker clarified not to level allegations without any facts. 

The Assembly was temporarily adjourned when things turned worse. Minister AK Balan said communal allegation against the wall is unconstitutional and anti-women. There were protests outside the Assembly too.

Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.