Thiruvananthapuram, October 19: Blaming the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS, for the row which has erupted at Sabarimala, CPI(M) secretary general Sitaram Yechury said the pattern of protests is strikingly similar to what was witnessed in December 1992, when the Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya.

Yechury accused the Sangh Parivar (comprising of RSS and its affiliated outfits) of orchestrating violence throughout Kerala in the name of faith. He also blamed the regional unit of the Congress party of siding with the "communal forces". Sabarimala Head Priest, Royal Family Threaten to Lock Temple If Women Enter.

"When the verdict on Sabarimala came, both the Congress and the BJP welcomed the Supreme Court's decision. But in Kerala, their tone is different. The RSS says it is a matter of faith. If the BJP agrees with RSS that women shouldn't be allowed, then why don't they bring an ordinance to overturn the court's order," Yechury said.

The CPM chief further accused the BJP-RSS of instigating the people of Kerala using a vicious propaganda. "They are playing the worst form of vote-bank politics. In doing so, they are destroying our social fabric," he added.

Comparing the protests to Babri Masjid's demolition, Yechury said the protesters here share the same characteristics as witnessed in 1992 -- when Hindutva mobs from across the nation were travelling towards Ayodhya to raze the 16th century mosque.

"All the TV crews who went there which had women were roughed up, the pattern is very similar to the time of the Babri Masjid demolition. You have the heads of the volunteers wearing saffron bands, the same dress you found there then," he said.

"Similar thing is being done here (Sabarimala) so it is an organised thing that the RSS is doing. RSS has lost the battle of not letting the gates of Sabarimala open, they even lost the battle that the temple shouldn't open on time," Yechury further added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 19, 2018 04:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).