‘Poison Being Spread’: Agnivesh Faces Protests at Kerala Function

A case has reportedly been registered against around 50 activists after a complaint was filed by Swami Agnivesh.

File image of social activist Swami Agnivesh.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Swami Agnivesh)

Social activist Swami Agnivesh was on Wednesday, 3 October, allegedly accosted by right-wing activists during a function in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.

The incident took place during a function for traditional healers organised by the Vaidya Mahasabha at Poojappura. According to L Pankajakshan, coordinator of the Mahasabha, it was the members of the Poojappura Saraswathi temple trust "who first raised objection at the function".

The secretary of the trust raised slogans against Agnivesh, and various others also came together to protest against him.

"When I was called to speak, around 20-30 people stood up shouting slogans... The policemen were also helpless there. When they were approaching to physically attack me, I didn't want the situation to get worse, on the occasion of Gandhiji's birth anniversary," said Agnivesh, who left the venue without speaking.

A case has been registered against around 50 unidentified activists after a complaint was filed by Agnivesh, reported Deccan Herald.

“They (the people who attacked me) only had one thing to say – that Agnivesh is ‘not Hindu’ and is ‘anti-Hindu’... I feel that this kind of atmosphere developing in Kerala – even across the country it is there – is condemnable. And, especially on 2 October, this kind of an incident happening is something that the society should reflect upon... I am not scared of being physically assaulted, but the poison that’s spreading throughout the society, the extremism that’s taking shape, how far will it go?”

Swami Agnivesh

In July last year, Swami Agnivesh was attacked by suspected right-wing activists in Jharkhand.

(With inputs from Deccan Herald)