Priyanka Tiwari
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A political row has broken out in Kerala after the rendition of an RSS "gana geetham" (prayer song) during a temple festival held at Kottukkal. The temple is under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The performance occurred during a musical event ('gana mela') in the early hours of Sunday, reportedly delivered by a professional music troupe.
Opposition Calls for Strict Action
Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan, expressed serious concern over the incident, stating that using temple premises for political expression violates a High Court directive that prohibits political activities in temples. He called on the TDB and the state government to act promptly against those responsible.
Satheesan emphasized that temples should remain neutral spiritual spaces, and politicizing such locations reflects a narrow-minded attitude.
Allegations of RSS Flags on Temple Grounds
In addition to the song, there were allegations that RSS flags were seen on the temple premises in connection with the ongoing festival. The Kadakkal police confirmed that a complaint had been received from a member of the temple's advisory committee, though no case has been registered yet.
Previous Incident Raises Concerns
The event follows a recent controversy in the same police jurisdiction, where songs praising the CPI(M) were reportedly sung during another temple festival. These back-to-back incidents have raised questions over the increasing politicization of religious spaces in the region.
Background of the RSS Prayer Song
The Sangh Prarthana (RSS prayer song) was first sung publicly by RSS Pracharak Yadav Rao Joshi on May 18, 1940, during a Sangh Shiksha Varg in Nagpur. Its rendition in temple settings has now become a subject of public and political debate in Kerala.
