Union Minister Suresh Gopi visited Sasthamcotta, Kollam, to see the much-talked-about Onam Pookkalam arranged in front of the Mutupilakkat Parthasaradhi Temple. The minister prayed in front of the temple and then sprinkled Sindoor in the Pookkalam, part and parcel of the Onam celebrations. He then distributed Sindoor to the people who had congregated there. He honoured soldier Asokan, the second accused in the case registered in connection with the Pookkalam arrangement, by draping him with a shawl. Thousands of people, including women and children, assembled in front of the temple on the occasion. They accorded an exuberant welcome to the Union Minister on arrival, chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram. State and district leaders of the BJP were present to welcome the minister.
At Muthupilakadu Parthasarathy temple, Sasthamcotta pic.twitter.com/aCfxbDF1cP
— Suressh Gopi (@TheSureshGopi) September 7, 2025
Earlier, Organiser had reported that police registered a case against the youths who arranged the Pookkalam because they had written ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’ with flowers as part of the design. They had also created a saffron flag in the Pookkalam. The idea of the saffron flag was simple: the presiding deity in the temple is Parthasarathi, the charioteer of Partha (Sreekrishna in the Kurukshetra war). A saffron flag flies atop Arjun’s chariot in all epics and available depictions. An image of Shivaji Maharaj was installed about 50 metres away from the Pookkalam. The “OPERATION SINDOOR”, the saffron flag designed with flowers, and the image of Shivaji Maharaj upset the police – a department presided over by Pinarayi Vijayan, CPM supremo, Chief Minister and Home Minister of the state.
#BREAKING | FIR filed over a Pookkalam (floral carpet) with the words “Operation Sindoor” in Kollam, Kerala. pic.twitter.com/MwENAePOpD
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) September 6, 2025
Former soldier Sarath is the first accused and serving soldier Asokan is the second. Twenty-five identified persons have also been charged. The cases are registered against those who had allegedly arranged the Pookkalam. Even though the “Operation Sindoor” invoked the wrath of “some”, the FIR does not mention it. Instead, the FIR highlights the saffron flag.
Interestingly, the cases are registered under sections of the BNS accusing them of preparation for riots. It is alleged that the case was registered under political influence. Reports suggest that CPM and Congress leaders dominate the temple committee.
The BJP and several Hindu outfits, including Sangh-inspired organisations, have stepped up their protests against the police action on the Pookkalam organisers. BJP state leaders Anoop Antony and Lt. Col. Dini led a march to the Sasthamcotta police station. BJP workers also arranged a Pookkalam in front of the police station. Inaugurating the march, Anoop Antony alleged that the Kerala Police operate according to the whims and fancies of the AKG Centre, the state headquarters of the CPM.
'Secular Kerala'..!! pic.twitter.com/ZrqcCQLejr
— Anoop Antony Joseph (@AnoopKaippalli) September 6, 2025
Observers claim that the entire country is in an “Operation Sindoor” mood; only traitors oppose it. Similar protests took place in several parts of the state. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha also led thousands of youths to the Secretariat, where they too arranged an “Operation Sindoor” Pookkalam.
