Seer's attack on leftists sparks demand for retraction from CPI(M)

The Hassan district unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has demanded that seer Nishchalananda Swamy of the Vishwa Vokkaliga Mutt retract controversial remarks targeting leftists, which were delivered during a college event on Thursday.

CPI(M) district secretary H.R. Naveen Kumar issued a statement Friday condemning the seer's speech, in which he described leftists as "the most dangerous" and "selfish" people. Kumar also called on the programme organisers to clarify their position on the seer's comments.

Remarks at Population Day event

Nishchalananda Swamy made the statements while addressing students at the Government First Grade College for Women, Hassan, during a World Population Day programme jointly organised by the college and the Hassan Red Cross unit. Hassan Superintendent of Police Shubhanwita inaugurated the event, which was attended by Red Cross Society president Hemmige Mohan and college faculty.

The seer told students that "everybody these days was calling themselves a leftist," but claimed leftists were "the most dangerous" people based on his observation of around eight individuals. "They always think about their own betterment, but in their speeches they maintain that they are working for the welfare of everyone," he said.

Citing his academic credentials, a PhD in economics and studies in psychology, economics and criminology, the seer asserted this background enabled him to analyse people and understand leftists' actions. He accused them of hardly doing anything good, instead engaging in "benki hachchuva kelasa", provoking unrest, and insulting the nation.

CPI(M) pushes back on characterisation

In his rebuttal, Kumar described leftists as "progressive, secular and pro-democracy people who upheld the Constitution," including those working for Dalits, farmers, workers, women and human rights. He argued that leftists "had sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the downtrodden" and fought against untouchability, casteism, communalism, corruption and the exploitation of women.

The party noted that Nishchalananda Swamy, a former Karnataka Administrative Service officer who resigned to become a seer, had never raised his voice against Central or State policies harming the Shudra and working-class communities his mutt represents.

Source: The Hindu