From The Hindu · S.R. Praveen · · 2m
Street fight: BJP and CPI(M) clash over Thiruvananthapuram's cultural corridor
A cultural street in Kerala's capital becomes a battleground as the BJP-led Corporation tries to ban protests and limit activities to culture only.
In brief
A cultural street in Kerala's capital becomes a battleground as the BJP-led Corporation tries to ban protests and limit activities to culture only. The BJP-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is attempting to make Manaveeyam Veedhi protest-free and limit it to cultural activities, sparking opposition from CPI(M)…
Cultural street becomes political battleground
Manaveeyam Veedhi, Thiruvananthapuram's cultural corridor, is caught in a political battle between the BJP and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over its use and control.
BJP Corporation took power last December
The BJP took control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in local body elections last December and is now attempting to bring changes to the street.
Three decades of cultural and protest events
Manaveeyam Veedhi has hosted various cultural events and protest programmes for the past three decades, serving as a space for both artistic expression and political dissent.
Police seize microphone at October protest
On October 16, Museum Police attempted to seize a microphone ahead of a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, featuring actor-activist Prakash Raj.
Corporation declares street must be protest-free
Last week, the BJP-led Corporation made clear its intent to make the street protest-free and to keep it limited to cultural activities, sparking immediate opposition.
CPI(M) says street is under Public Works
Former Mayor V. Sivankutty says Manaveeyam Veedhi is a road under the Public Works department and its management rights have never been transferred to the Corporation.
“Manaveeyam Veedhi is a road under the Public Works department and its management rights have never been transferred to the Municipal Corporation.”
Artists call move an overreach of authority
K.G. Suraj, secretary of the Manaveeyam Theruvidam Cultural Collective, says the Corporation's move to render the space protest-free is an encroachment upon artists' freedom of thought and expression.
“The Corporation's move to render the space 'protest-free' by eliminating expressions of dissent is an encroachment upon the artists' freedom of thought and expression.”
Congress backs democratic use of street
Congress councillor K.S. Sabarinadhan says the Corporation must preserve Manaveeyam as a space upholding all democratic rights, and banning protests is an anti-democratic measure.
“Taking the stance that protests are impermissible within this cultural space is an anti-democratic measure.”
Corporation to frame bylaw after stakeholder talks
According to the Mayor's office, the Corporation will frame a bylaw for Manaveeyam Veedhi after discussions with various stakeholders, leaving the street's future status uncertain.
The key point
The BJP-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is attempting to make Manaveeyam Veedhi protest-free and limit it to cultural activities, sparking opposition from CPI(M) leaders and cultural activists who say the street has hosted both for three decades.
