Outrage has erupted near the iconic Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur after migrant labourers were found cooking chicken curry within the temple premises, violating a court-imposed restriction. The incident took place in the Panchajanya Lodge Annexe building, located in an area where the Kerala High Court has explicitly banned the consumption and preparation of non-vegetarian food.
Devotees noticed the smell of chicken curry being cooked and immediately recorded the incident on video, later reporting it to the Guruvayur Dewaswom authorities. The cooking reportedly occurred in a building under construction, but despite the complaints, devotees allege that the Dewaswom Board has not taken any action.
The Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti, a Sangh-inspired organisation, has expressed its strong opposition to the violation of temple traditions and sacredness. The Taluk Committee of the Samiti protested the breach and warned that further protests would be inevitable if no action is taken by the Dewaswom Board. They also threatened to block the paths of the Dewaswom Board Chairman and the Administrator if the matter is ignored, insisting that the temple’s sanctity must be upheld.
This incident has sparked concerns among the Hindu community in Kerala, who feel that the sanctity of their temples is being increasingly challenged. The Samiti’s warning comes with a broader sentiment of frustration, as some Hindus in the state believe they are often left to “console themselves” in the name of secularism.
Another incident occurred in Kannur following allegations that a meeting of the CPM’s Thodeekkalam Branch Committee was held in the Thodeekkalam Bhagavathy temple, which is administered by the Malabar Dewaswom Board. The incident led to a clash between CPM workers and local devotees.
C O Manesh, the Kannur District General Secretary of Hindu Aikyavedi, condemned the CPM for holding their branch meeting in the temple’s office, which is an unfinished building intended solely for temple-related functions. Manesh criticised the CPM for its perceived disrespect towards devotees and alleged that their workers frequently ridicule believers. Although Hindu Aikyavedi did not file a police complaint, citing a lack of faith in a fair investigation, Manesh claimed that CPM members had previously disrupted a Ganesh Chaturthi procession in the same area.
While CPM members in a video claimed they had permission from relevant authorities to use the space, local CPM leadership stated that the meeting took place at a party member’s house near the temple, with the temple visit being solely for borrowing chairs.
However, Hindu Aikyavedi has rejected this explanation, arguing that a banner displayed at the meeting hall clearly indicated that the event was planned and held at the temple office, intended for temple functions only.
