Kanyakumari, April 4: A strong public backlash, coupled with opposition from the Hindu Munnani and AIADMK MLA Thalavai Sundram, has temporarily thwarted an attempt by the Kanyakumari local body to remove the saffron flagpole erected at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. The move by the local administration, citing a recent High Court order, was met with immediate resistance, highlighting the sensitive nature of religious symbols in the region.
Earlier this year, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed all political, communal, and other organizations to dismantle permanent flagpoles installed on public spaces and government lands across Tamil Nadu within a three-month timeframe. Following this directive, the Kanyakumari Panchayat authorities issued a notice to the Vivekananda Kendra, the organization managing the memorial, demanding the removal of the saffron flagpole.
The Vivekananda Kendra, which has been hoisting a saffron flag daily at 6 am with a siren sound and lowering it at 6 pm with the same ritual for over 55 years since the memorial’s installation, argued against the removal. Their contention was supported by not only the BJP and Hindu Munnani but also various local residents who believe the practice should continue uninterrupted.
On behalf of the Vivekananda Kendra, local AIADMK MLA Thalavai Sundram submitted a petition to the District Collector, urging intervention to prevent the removal of the flagpole. Sundram argued that the memorial is situated in the middle of the sea and does not impede traffic or public movement in any way, thus posing no practical issues.
The District Collector’s intervention, coupled with the significant public outcry and political opposition, led to the Panchayat authorities putting the removal notice in abeyance for the time being.
The Hindu Munnani reacted strongly to the local body’s initial move. In a post on X, the organisation vehemently condemned the action, questioning the selective nature of the directive by rhetorically asking if mosques would also be asked to remove their green flags.
https://twitter.com/hindumunnani_tn/status/1906985013004189728
In a subsequent statement, the Hindu Munnani asserted that the Vivekananda Rock Memorial is not a public place, being located in the sea and serving as a “Dhyan Mandap” (meditation hall). They condemned the attempt to remove the saffron flag as a manifestation of the Dravidian and left parties’ alleged aversion to the color saffron. The organization further cited past instances where saffron elements were reportedly removed from depictions of Tamil saints Thiruvalluvar and Vallalar.
AIADMK MLA Thalavai Sundram’s proactive stance in opposing the flag removal is noteworthy, especially considering his recent suspension from all party posts by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami in October of the previous year. Sundram’s suspension was reportedly due to his act of flagging off an RSS rally, which was deemed against the AIADMK’s ideology and principles. Despite his suspension, Sundram’s intervention highlights the local sentiment surrounding the issue.
Critics have pointed out the alleged hypocrisy of the local administration’s zeal in targeting the saffron flag at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, while seemingly overlooking the numerous party flagpoles erected by the ruling DMK, left parties, PMK, VCK, and others in public places across Tamil Nadu. These critics argue that these party flagpoles often obstruct traffic flow and endanger public safety, and despite court orders, they have largely remained untouched. They cite instances where attempts by BJP and even DMK allies like VCK and left parties to install their own flagpoles have been reportedly thwarted, suggesting a bias in the administration’s actions.
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