KL This Week: High Court Issues Notice in Case Demanding Ban on RSS Activities in Temple Premises

NewsClick brings you a round-up of the important developments in Kerala during the last week, including the increasing fever cases and deaths owing to an outbreak of contagious diseases, arrest and bail of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran in a fraudulent antiquities sale case, and the notice by the High Court of Kerala to respondents in a case seeking ban of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in temple premises. 

FEVER CASES INCREASE TO 2 LAKHS

The number of fever cases in the state, soon after the monsoon arrived, has increased to around 2 lahks following the outbreak of contagious diseases including dengue, H1N1, and rat fever. With two deaths reported on June 24, the total number of casualties due to contagious diseases increased to 41. In the past 10 days, around 11,000 dengue cases have been reported. 

The Department of Health has urged people to stay vigilant even as cleaning drives in educational institutions and government offices have intensified. In a bid to curb the spread, dry days are being observed in schools on Fridays, in government offices on Saturdays, and in homes on Sundays. The campuses are being cleaned to break the chain and the process is expected to be continued for the next few weeks.

Several fever clinics have been opened across the state to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of various fevers spreading during the monsoon.

KPCC LEADERSHIP RALLIES BEHIND ITS PRESIDENT

After being arrested and released on bail in a case related to the sale of fake antiquities by controversial dealer Monson Mavunkal, the KPCC has put its weight behind KPCC president and MP, K Sudhakaran. 

Former presidents of KPCC, the leader of opposition (LoP) and scores of leaders from the party have rejected his offer to resign as the KPCC president. The party observed June 24 as a black day against the arrest of their leaders by the crime branch. The KPCC, from being a divided house on several issues including the recent organisational reshuffle, has put up a united face. 

The crime branch interrogated Sudhakaran for around eight hours on June 23 followed by the arrest. However, since the Kerala High Court had granted him anticipatory bail, the leader was soon released. 

HIGH COURT ORDER IN FAVOUR OF PRIYA VARGHESE

In a huge relief, the Kerala High Court passed an order in favour of Priya Varghese, wife of K K Ragesh, the private secretary of CM Pinarayi Vijayan, for her appointment at the Kannur University. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has called the verdict a setback for Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, who accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of making political appointments in higher education institutions. 

But, the Governor has pointed out that there is a possibility of approaching the Supreme Court in the matter.

Priya Varghese expressed her satisfaction following the verdict since several opposition parties led by the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the media “tarnished her image” after she was ranked first for the interview for the post of associate professor at the university. 

NOTICE ISSUED IN CASE SEEKING BAN ON RSS ACTIVITIES

The High Court of Kerala ordered to issue notices to all the respondents in a case filed by two devotees seeking the ban of RSS activities in a temple in Chirayinkeezhu in Thiruvananthapuram district. The devotees of the Sree Sarkara Devi temple approached the court, with allegations of the RSS holding drills with weapons in the temple premises.

The temple is under the control of the Travancore Devaswom Board and the council representing the board submitted that despite repeated warnings, the practice continued. The court has sought the responses of the state government and the board. 

The devotees have alleged that RSS members use tobacco inside the temple premises – impacting the sanctity, cleanliness, and purity of the temple.

STREET VENDORS MARCH TO RAJ BHAVAN

The Street Vendors’ and Workers’ Federation of Kerala, affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), held a Raj Bhavan march on June 21 seeking the protection of the street vendors against the growing influence of corporates in retail. 

Inaugurated by the state vice president of CITU, T P Ramakrishnan MLA, the federation demanded central legislation to protect the street vendors, restriction on the entry of multinational corporates in retail sales, and issuing of licenses to the street vendors.