Kollam: A recent incident at the Puthiyakavu temple in Kollam, Kerala, where a portrait of the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dr KB Hedgewar was included in the festival at Ashramam Sree Krisha temple, which is an annual event in Kollam city. It is hosted by this Sree Krishna temple and is a venue for the Pooram competition between the Puthiyakavu Bhagavati temple and Thamarakkulam Ganapati temple. Bhagavathi temple is managed and run by an RSS-inspired trust.
During the Pooram, both temples parade fifteen decorated elephants each. Kutamattam (changing of umbrellas every few minutes) is an ecstatic part of the Pooram competition. Both teams display the images of important personalities on the umbrellas. Every year, images of Gods, sanyasins, national leaders, sports personalities, scientists and so on are always displayed. Sreerama, Sreekrishna, Sreenarayana Guru, Chattambi Swamy, Swami Vivekananda, Dr. Ambedkar, Sachin Tendulkar are some others. Interestingly, images of football stars of Argentina, Brazil and England were are also displayed and no one raises objections
This time, Bhagavati temple’s one of the umbrellas showed Dr Hedgewar’s image. But, it did not invite any hue and cry immediately. However, some media persons and other miscreants from the Congress and the left parties tried to blow things out of proportion.
Bhagavati temple is not owned or managed by CPM-controlled Thiruvithamcoor Dewaswom Board (TDB). Therefore, Board cannot interfere in it. Moreover, local Sangh swayamsevaks informed that it is not a serious issue there. But, more media ‘activism’ is expected.
The controversy has led to the police filing case under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Religious Institutions Act. The portrait was displayed alongside revered social reformers such as
The Youth Congress State Vice President filed a complaint, prompting the Pandalam City Police to act. The incident is being viewed politically, with parties like the CPI(M) and the Congress alleging that it was a ongoing strategy to provoke communal tensions and appease muslim community. This comes on the heels of a previous controversy where the Travancore Devaswom Board dismissed a temple advisory committee for playing a song praising Hedgewar at the Kottukkal temple.
However, the state government’s response or the lack thereof to a separate but similar incident in Palakkad has raised serious questions about political bias and differential treatment. In the Thrithala region, during the annual Uroos festival in February where banners featuring senior Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh were paraded atop elephants, reportedly cheered on by thousands, including children. Despite the wide circulation of visuals on social media, Kerala Police did not register a case.
Hamas, designated a terrorist organisation by the United States, and the European Union, is linked to multiple attacks and ongoing conflict in the West Asia. The inclusion of its leaders in a public religious procession in Kerala sparked widespread outrage but did not result in legal consequences. CPI(M) Minister MB Rajesh and Congress leader VT Balram were also present at the event, raising further concerns over political double standards.
This is not the first time pro-Hamas sentiments have stirred controversy in the state. In 2024, the Kerala University Youth Festival had to be renamed from “Intifada” following objections due to its militant connotation. In 2023, Khaled Mashal, a former Hamas chief, addressed a rally virtually in Malappuram, organised by the Solidarity Youth Movement, further fueling allegations of extremist sympathies.
Critics, especially from the BJP, have condemned the state government’s selective approach. Former BJP State President K Surendran questioned the inaction over the Hamas displays while swift legal action was taken in the temple case. “It is deeply concerning that nationalist figures face legal hurdles, while openly displaying the faces of terrorists goes unchecked,” he said.
The contrasting responses by the authorities to these incidents one involving a nationalist leader and the other involving internationally designated terrorists have triggered a broader debate about the alleged politicisation of law enforcement and the appeasement-driven governance in Kerala.
