K.C. Venugopal
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal has slammed Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar for justifying school students washing the feet of some persons, including a BJP district secretary, recently. “The Governor’s justification of the feet washing deed is a blot on Kerala’s dignity,” he said.
“Mr. Arlekar’s actions are pushing Kerala back into darkness. Given Kerala’s legacy of progressive thinkers such as Sree Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swamikal and Mahatma Ayyankali, it is baffling that the Governor seems oblivious to our State’s history of social reform. The people of Kerala will not tolerate the notion that forcing children to wash feet is part of our cultural heritage,” Mr. Venugopal said here on Sunday.
According to Mr. Venugopal, the Governor’s move was a brazen attempt to impose his “fascist agenda.”
“The Governor’s actions are a stark reminder of his fascist leanings. He must recognise the gravity of his role. It is reprehensible that he is trying to push Kerala backward,” he said.
Mr. Venugopal said that the President’s nomination of BJP leader C. Sadanandan to Rajya Sabha by bypassing conventional standards was “a setback for India’s democratic values.”
He questioned the BJP motives, saying: “We have always nominated distinguished figures like M.S. Swaminathan. If Mr. Sadanandan’s sacrifices were too big for the BJP, why nominate him through the President’s office? He should have been sent to the Rajya Sabha as a BJP nominee. What message does this nomination send to the nation?” the Congress leader asked.
Published – July 14, 2025 11:38 am IST
