Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Union government, alleging that its laws and policies, including the Citizenship Act and the newly proposed Waqf-related measures, are aimed at reducing Muslims to second-class citizens and alienating them from the social mainstream.

Addressing the valedictory session of the ‘Kerala Yatra’, organised by the Kerala Muslim Jamaat, the Chief Minister said the march began in Kasaragod and concluded in Thiruvananthapuram after traversing the length and breadth of the state. The yatra was led by prominent Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar.

Vijayan cautioned that adopting a soft or conciliatory approach towards communalism was dangerous. He recalled that Kerala had witnessed severe communal clashes and riots in the past, but said such incidents were brought to an end due to the Left Democratic Front’s firm and uncompromising stand against all forms of communalism.

Expressing concern over attacks on minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, and their places of worship across the country, the Chief Minister said these developments posed a serious threat to secularism, democracy and constitutional values.

He asserted that majoritarian communalism cannot be countered with minority communalism, as both tend to reinforce each other. “The only effective way to confront such forces is by strengthening secular values and upholding constitutional principles,” he said.

Calling upon the public to remain vigilant, Vijayan urged greater awareness against forces attempting to divide society on the basis of religion, caste, race and language. He described the ‘Kerala Yatra’ as a step in the right direction, stating that such initiatives serve as a strong safeguard at a time when deliberate attempts are being made to polarise society in the name of religion and identity.