Congress Criticizes Removal of Plaque at Payyambalam Children’s Park

Speedy Summary

• The congress party has criticised the removal of a stone plaque commemorating the 2015 inauguration of a children’s park and sea walkway in Payyambalam, Kannur.
• The plaque originally bore the name of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy as inaugurator; it was replaced with a new one naming current Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas.
• The original plaque was allegedly discarded in a dustbin with a broom placed over it.
• Martin George, District Congress Committee President, condemned the act as disrespectful and politically opportunistic, demanding an inquiry into who ordered it’s removal.
• Congress workers retrieved the discarded plaque and placed it back at the park entrance, warning they would reinstate it if removed again.

Indian Opinion Analysis

the removal and replacement of public plaques commemorating infrastructure projects raise concerns about political rivalry overshadowing democratic traditions in India. Such actions might be perceived as undermining efforts to preserve civic memory for future generations,wich holds ancient significance beyond political affiliations. By replacing Oommen Chandy’s name with that of current Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas,this incident not only risks alienating sections of society but also invites scrutiny over governance practices where achievements might be politicized rather than celebrated collectively.

An inquiry into this matter could serve transparency while setting precedents for respecting contributions made under various administrations without erasing history-a principle important for nurturing pluralism in India’s democracy.

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