Opposition leader VD Satheesan accused organisers of violating a High Court order, demanding action from the government and Travancore Devaswom Board. The Nagercoil Birds troupe sang the song at sponsors' request.
Published Apr 08, 2025 | 12:08 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 08, 2025 | 12:09 AM
RSS
Synopsis: The Kadakkal police have launched an investigation after an RSS-related Gana Geetham was performed during a ganamela at Bhadrakali temple in Kottukkal, Kollam. The Travancore Devaswom Board assigned an Assistant Commissioner to investigate the matter. Temple advisory committee president Sreejesh defended the performance, while opposition leader VD Satheesan accused organizers of violating a High Court order
The Kadakkal police have initiated an investigation after an RSS-related Gana Geetham was performed during a ganamela at the Bhadrakali temple in Kottukkal, Kollam, on Saturday night.
The event, conducted under the Travancore Devaswom Board, sparked controversy, prompting the Board to assign an Assistant Commissioner to look into the matter.
Sreejesh, president of the temple advisory committee, defended the performance, claiming the complaint was politically motivated and asserting that the song was patriotic.
However, committee vice president Akhil Sasi also filed a complaint regarding the display of RSS festoons at the event. The original complaint was lodged by local resident Prathin.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan accused the organisers of violating a High Court order and called for immediate action from both the government and the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The performance was by the troupe Nagercoil Birds, who stated they sang the song at the request of event sponsors, Team Chhatrapati, and the audience. While two RSS-related songs were requested, they claimed to only know one.
This incident follows a similar controversy last month at the Kadakkal Devi Temple, where singer Aloshi performed a CPM song during a temple festival, leading to police action after the video went viral.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has taken strict action, especially after reports of RSS and revolutionary songs being performed at temples under its management.
PS Prasanth, President of the Travancore Devaswom Board, announced the dissolution of the Kadakkal Devi Temple advisory committee and confirmed that the Manjippuzha Temple committee will soon face similar action due to violations.
The Board cited a court order prohibiting political or religious symbols and songs within temple premises.
Despite previous warnings, RSS flags and decorations were displayed at the Manjippuzha Temple festival, and RSS songs were played, prompting further action.
In the Kadakkal incident, singer Aloshi Adams had performed a song praising a late CPM worker during the temple festival on 10 March, resulting in police cases and show-cause notices to two officials for negligence.
The Kadakkal police have now registered a case regarding the singing of the RSS prayer song. Those involved in the performance have been named as the first accused, the temple advisory committee as the second accused, and the festival celebration committee as the third.
Police officials confirmed that further investigation is ongoing.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman and Dileep V Kumar)
