Kottayam town. Image for representation onlyLet the nation-wide debates and discussions over hot topics such as nationalism, right to dissent, sedition and status of Kashmir be there with all its merit. Yet the news of anti-India and pro-Pakistan posters appearing on the walls of Thirunakkara, the most serene place in Kottayam town, is disturbing, if not dangerous.
To the uninitiated, police in Kottayam on Saturday had to remove some posters found on the walls of some residential area in Thirunakkara, which demanded freedom for Kashmir and Kerala. Interestingly, the posters, put up by Thirunakkara Youth Movement -- the existence of which is yet to be confirmed -- also carried slogans against the Communist party.
While it would be a naive generalisation to attribute the senseless act to 'anti-national' forces, such acts, in a broad sense, seem to have the potential to disturb the social fabric of the land, which is otherwise known for 'lakes, letters and latex'.
Read: Anti-India, pro-Pak posters appear in Kottayam
Be it real divisive forces, like the disillusioned Kashmir youth who think that the valley state need freedom from the Indian union or a mischievous person or group who have a wrong sense of humour, the culprits need to be brought to the law.
If the former is found to be behind the act, it is a real threat and the law of the land will have to deal with them and if it is found to be the deed of a mischievous group, then they need a good amount of counselling and a few lessons on the consequences of such stupidity, at a time when divisive forces are trying hard to make each one suspicious of the other.
It would not be good to spread rumours at a time when the police are investigating it. Yet the mix of the demand for freedom of Kashmir and Kerala and anger against the Communist party make them susceptible. Who is their prime enemy, the Indian state or the Communist party -- an answer to the question could be a key to find the culprits.
Whoever be the culprits, one thing is clear - it's time those who believe in democracy and humanism stood more vigilant than ever.
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