Onathallu is an informal duel, traditionally staged for fun during Onam in certain parts of Kerala. The term comes from Onam and thallu (duel or clash).

This Onam season, however, there was serious Onathallu across the State. Violent clashes broke out between the RSS-BJP and the CPI(M), traditional foes in Kerala, on the main Onam festival day, on August 28, and continued for days.

Violence erupted in Kasargod and Kannur districts in the north, Thrissur and Idukki districts in central Kerala and Kottayam district in the south. The clashes between the two cadre-based parties marred the festival mood and whipped up fearful memories of the murderous rivalries in the last quarter of the past century.

Two persons, one each from the Sangh Parivar and the CPI(M), lost their lives and dozens have been hospitalised. Country bombs were freely used in the attacks and counter attacks in Kannur district, the hotbed of gang battles between the two parties. Over a dozen houses, including that of the Kannur district president of the BJP, K Ranjith, have been damaged.

The unexpected eruption of political violence in several parts of the State — particularly during Onam, which the average Keralite views as a festival of harmony, camaraderie and fun — has baffled both the government and the people. The violence is viewed as a curtain-raiser to what is in store for the crucial local bodies’ elections, slated for October-November.

The elections are extremely important for both the CPI(M) and BJP. The BJP, which as of now does not have a majority stake in any of the nearly 1,000 village panchayats nor in the municipalities and city corporations, is keen on grabbing power in a sizeable number of panchayats this time. The BJP leadership has made it clear that the CPI(M) is its No 1 competitor in Kerala. And, the BJP cadres draw tremendous confidence and aggressiveness from the fact that the party is in power at the Centre.

Aggressive presence

The CPI(M), which is fast losing its following, is viewing the current aggressive presence of the Sangh Parivar and its wooing of the Ezhava caste as a direct threat to its political prominence in the State. The CPI(M)’s State leaders have expressed concern that several party followers are relocating to the BJP camp.

The CPI(M) wants to regain its clout through the panchayat elections. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala sees conspiracies to hurt the law-and-order situation in the State to make gains in the upcoming elections.

comment COMMENT NOW