An inquiry commissioned by Kerala Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Ajith Kumar concluded that the disturbances were part of a premeditated effort to influence public sentiment ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Published Dec 23, 2024 | 12:52 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 23, 2024 | 12:55 PM
Thrissur Pooram. (iStock)
An inquiry commissioned by Kerala Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Ajith Kumar into the Thrissur Pooram disruption earlier this year has exonerated the Kerala Police, concluding that the disturbances were part of a premeditated effort to influence public sentiment ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The report states that certain officials from the Thiruvambady Devaswom, along with their associates, conspired to cause the disruption and manipulate perceptions of the district administration and state government.
The investigation identified five Thiruvambady Devaswom officials – Sundar Menon, Gireesh Kumar, Vijaya Menon, Unnikrishnan, and Ravi – along with two others, namely Jose Thonikkal and Krishnadas, as the key conspirators.
These individuals allegedly coordinated the disruption by pre-determining the times to switch off the lights at Naduvilal at 1.18 am and at Naykanal at 1.21 am, bringing the Pooram festivities to an abrupt halt and forcing the return of the six caparisoned elephants.
The famed Thrissur Pooram, marking the culmination of the 10-day festival of the Vadakkumnathan Temple in Kerala’s cultural capital, was paused following an allegedly unnecessary police intervention on 19 April earlier this year. For most Malayalis, especially those in the district, the Pooram is more than a festival – it is an emotion, a fusion of Kerala’s soul and heritage.
The Pooram fiasco occurred during a period of high-voltage campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. The LDF had fielded Sunil Kumar, a former state minister, while the Congress, in a surprise move, nominated former MP K Muraleedharan. The BJP had its expected candidate, Suresh Gopi, actively campaigning.
The festival was marred by controversy due to police actions. Barricades were erected at Swaraj Round by 10 pm to manage crowds for the 3 am fireworks, blocking access for many attendees eager to enjoy the night’s festivities.
This disruption also affected the Thiruvambady deity’s procession, with the police closing all routes to the Vadakkumnathan Temple, leading to frustration among the crowd. When attendees questioned the police, tensions escalated, resulting in a lathi charge.
A complaint by the Thiruvambady Devaswom against the police went unaddressed. Subsequently, the procession was abandoned midway, with only one elephant participating instead of nine, and the music fell silent by 1.30 am.
The situation worsened when police attempted to remove fireworks from the venue, leading to a confrontation with the crowd, who chanted, “Police go back.”
Following the disruption, the state government assigned ADGP M R Ajith Kumar to probe the incident. After much delay and criticism by the Opposition and even LDF constituents, the officer submitted his report to Director General of Police (DGP) Sheikh Darvesh Saheb on Saturday, 21 September.
Meanwhile, the BJP opened its account in the Lok Sabha from Kerala, with Suresh Gopi defeating his political rivals.
Even before the probe report on the Pooram disruption was submitted, LDF’s independent MLA from Nilambur, P V Anvar, stated that the ADGP, too, was responsible for the disruption of the festival. The incident has since evolved into a political issue.
The Pooram was reportedly halted in an attempt to stir public sentiment against the state government and district administration. The issue was allegedly exploited by certain vested interests to gain political advantage during the Lok Sabha elections.
The report also suggested that some police officers dissatisfied with Commissioner Ankit Ashok’s actions may have played a role in this. Despite this, the police’s intelligence wing found no evidence of sabotage related to the Pooram.
However, the DGP dismissed the report and directed that it be submitted to the Chief Minister to determine if there had been any negligence on the part of ADGP M R Ajith Kumar concerning the Pooram’s security.
As a result, the government announced a three-tier investigation, which is currently ongoing.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
