It’s amazing how many different ideologies, beliefs, habits, liking, principles etc people have. And hence it is practically impossible to satisfy every one. As a result we have many groups of people having their own principles and ideologies. If a member of the group does not comply with the thoughts of the others, he along with others who share his thoughts forms a new group. It is difficult for the leaders to make decisions that affect a large number of people. Tolerance is an attribute that the people of the world have to imbibe for the world to be a better place. The most difficult people to handle are the extremists, who does not accept any other way than their own way.

The similar situation exists in Kerala and Thiruvananthapuram, being the head of the state is never a quiet place. Politics is the mainstay of the people here, as all the government head offices are based here. Their main subjects of conversation are politics and the happenings around the city. The secretariat building is the main site for demonstrations as the most authoritative people are located in this building. On the pavement outside the Secretariat are numerous thatched sheds where people sit on strikes for what they believe in. The Congress party presently rules the state and heads the throne at the Secretariat. With members of the opposition parties challenging every decision made by the ruling party, it is difficult to maintain a peaceful situation. The situation remains the same irrespective of the ruling party. The security around the Secretariat is always high. The demonstrations are usually peaceful except for a few such as the recent clash between the policemen and students, that resulted in utter chaos.

People line up in front of the Secretariat for various reasons. Some people protested against the banning of arrack and removal of the private dealership of alcohol in Kerala by going on a hunger strike. The tribal people, built thatched houses and lived on the pavement because they had been evicted from the land that they encroached upon. Strikes like these usually continue till a settlement has been reached. Some people strike for silly reasons like being unable to complete the production of a movie due to lack of money. It is difficult for one  to assess who is in the right in situations such as this. Is the government to be blamed for the decisions taken in accordance with the laws and likes of people? Or should one blame the people who sit on strikes because they have been deprived of their privileges. Among the protestors, there are only few people who genuinely represent the oppressed but most of them are extremists who would settle for nothing other than their view.

It is amazing how people with different ideologies, views, principles and religions live together in harmony. Except for the occasional uproar, Kerala is a very peaceful state where each one respects the view of the other. In short, it can be said that people of this state try to follow the Gandhian policy of ahimsa (by not resorting to violence to have their views heard). Strikes are common but never violent. The flow of life may be obstructed at times due to the roadblocks and bus strikes. But obstruction in activities is seen only in the towns and cities where as the interior parts of the State is never affected. In short, the people of Kerala are peace lovers who have learnt to express their views and problems in a strong yet diplomatic manner.      

Abraham Chandy