Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Criticises Centre Over Stance on US–Israel Strikes on Iran
At Kozhikode rally, Vijayan calls the Centre’s position a “humiliating submission” and urges stronger public opposition to the attacks.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly criticised the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over its stance on the recent military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.
Speaking at a rally in Kozhikode organised by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Vijayan described the Centre’s response as an “extremely humiliating submission” to imperial powers.
The gathering was held to express solidarity with Iran and protest against the attacks carried out by the United States and Israel. Hundreds of people attended the rally, where speakers condemned what they described as American imperialism.
Vijayan said the Indian government should reconsider its position and urged the public to build strong opinion against the strikes. According to him, India’s current stance risks aligning the country with imperial forces and weakening its independent foreign policy.
The Chief Minister also referred to the long-standing historical and cultural ties between India and Iran, stating that the two nations have shared friendly relations for centuries and that Iran had supported India during difficult periods.
He criticised what he described as the Centre’s silence over civilian casualties in conflicts involving Israel, particularly in Gaza and Iran. Vijayan also pointed to public displays of friendship between Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying such gestures could send a signal internationally that India stands firmly with Israel.
Vijayan further alleged that the Union government did not adequately respond to an attack on an Iranian naval ship, the IRIS Dena, which was reportedly returning after participating in a joint military exercise hosted by India. According to reports cited at the rally, several sailors were killed in the incident, allegedly involving US forces.
“The ship had been a guest of our nation during the exercise, yet there was no strong response. Such silence is deeply disappointing,” Vijayan said.
The Kerala Chief Minister also claimed there were ideological similarities between Zionist groups in Israel and India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which he said had influenced the Centre’s support for Israel.
He added that many countries across the world, including some Western nations and members of NATO, had expressed concern or opposition to the strikes, which he said were largely driven by geopolitical interests related to control of global oil resources.
The Centre has not yet responded publicly to Vijayan’s remarks.
