Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has responded to comments made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding the Left’s stance on secularism. Vijayan stated that the Congress party lacks the credibility to judge the Left’s long-standing commitment to secularism and the protection of minority rights. He voiced his concerns about Congress’s historical role in enabling the rise of the Sangh Parivar, a right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation, through its policies.

In a post on the social media platform X, Vijayan accused Gandhi of being politically ignorant. He questioned whether Gandhi could deny that the legislative frameworks currently utilised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to intimidate minorities were originally established and supported by the Indian National Congress (INC) for decades. Vijayan emphasised that the Congress party’s previous actions undermine its current critiques of the Left.

Shri @RahulGandhi’s attempt to lecture the Left on the attacks in Chhattisgarh is a pathetic display of political ignorance. Can he deny that the very laws the BJP uses to terrorise minorities today were formulated and protected by the @INCIndia governments for decades? Does he…

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 4, 2026

Furthermore, Vijayan challenged Gandhi to consider whether the Congress party would abolish the stringent anti-conversion laws in Himachal Pradesh, a state where the Congress is currently in power. He pointed out that the Congress’s history has paved the way for the surge of the Sangh Parivar, asserting that they are now in no position to question the Left’s dedication to secularism.

Concerns Over Political Responses

In light of recent incidents involving the arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh, Vijayan highlighted that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) vocally protested against the BJP’s actions. He noted that senior CPI-M leaders travelled to the state to intervene while criticising the Congress party for its insincere response to the events. He alleged that while some leaders from Kerala expressed their views, the Congress leadership in the state remained silent, raising questions about their credibility.

Vijayan further questioned the double standards exhibited by the Congress party in dealing with such issues, urging Gandhi to commit to repealing the controversial anti-conversion laws. He raised concerns over the apparent lack of decisive action from the Congress, particularly in states where it holds power, thereby emphasising the inconsistency in its stance on secularism.

In addressing the criticisms aimed at Keralam from Gandhi’s political rally, Vijayan underscored the need for clarity regarding the actions of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He emphasised the hostility towards minorities, stating that those who challenge the BJP and RSS often face severe backlash, which he indicated as a systematic pattern of behaviour from these organisations.

Gandhi’s Allegations Against the BJP and RSS

During a political rally earlier on the same day, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP and RSS have orchestrated attacks on Keralam’s nurses in Chhattisgarh. He asserted that the current Chief Minister has affiliations with those responsible for the assaults on nuns in the state. Gandhi denounced the BJP and RSS, claiming they propagate hatred against minorities across India.

He reiterated the need for the public to remain aware of the actions of these organisations, suggesting that the BJP and RSS often present varying narratives in different contexts. Gandhi highlighted the alarming rise in communal violence, referencing events in Manipur, and reiterated concerns regarding attacks on religious minorities, particularly against churches.

Such statements by Gandhi and accompanying responses from Vijayan reflect the ongoing tensions between the major political parties in India regarding secularism and minority rights, drawing attention to their respective political narratives and histories. As both leaders continue to engage in this political discourse, the implications for their parties and the electorate remain significant.

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