Below we publish the statement given by Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, at a press conference held on August 6.
KERALA has yet to recover from the psychological trauma inflicted by a natural disaster that claimed numerous lives, left many more in uncertainty, and devastated an entire region. To prevent such disasters from recurring, we must collaboratively devise improved systems through scientific methods. This is essential in an era marked by global crises such as global warming and climate change. This is a critical issue for humanity's survival.
We are in a period that requires deep contemplation and collective effort. It is regrettable that a few are exploiting this situation for narrow interests. It is particularly reprehensible when those tasked with enlightening the public about the reality are involved in it. Unfortunately, the recent statement by the union minister of forest and environment, Bhupender Yadav, is an example of this. He claimed that the landslide in Mundakkai in Wayanad district was caused by unauthorised human settlements, land encroachments, and illegal mining, with the complicity of the local government.
Through such an allegation, the minister is insulting the people affected by the disaster. Who are these so-called unauthorised settlers? Are they the estate workers who perished in the landslide? Or are they the ordinary people who lived on their small plots of land? Anyone with even a basic understanding of Kerala's hilly regions knows that the people living there cannot be labelled as unauthorised settlers.
Migration to Kerala's hilly regions has a history spanning centuries. The lives and cultures that have developed in these challenging conditions have a long history. It is inappropriate for the union minister to be part of the propaganda that labels these people as encroachers without any understanding of this history.
Another peculiar claim made by him is that the landslide in Mundakkai was caused by illegal mining. However, the nearest quarry to the landslide area is 10.2 kilometres away. Given this fact, why is the union minister disseminating false information?
You may be aware of reports that the union government has approached scientists to write against Kerala in the context of the Wayanad disaster. Media reports suggest that the union government is pressurising scientists to provide articles and opinions criticising the state government against the backdrop of the landslide. This effort to mobilise scientists against the Kerala government has reportedly been made through the Press Information Bureau. When considered alongside the union minister’s recent statement, these media reports appear to be accurate. They themselves need to think about whom they are trying to harm through these paid write-ups.
Mundakkai is an area where the environment is seriously cared for, and it is known to all that no illegal mining occurs there. Despite this, claiming that the landslide was caused by illegal mining is politically motivated. Malayalis will understand this. Isn't the union minister implying that the estate workers living in makeshift shelters are illegal encroachers? Aren’t such people placing the responsibility for the landslide on the impoverished workers?
