Songs have long served as powerful unifying elements in society. Many of them carry deep-rooted meanings and messages that celebrate greatness of Bharat while exposing the shallowness of divisive forces. One such song is the patriotic group song of RSS ‘Gangeet’, which speaks about Bharat and its glory. However, Communist forces in Kerala appear to fear this song because of its influence and the sentiments it evokes. This concern has now surfaced, where a controversy has emerged over the singing of the song during a temple festival at Panayam Kovilmukku Subramanya Temple in Kollam district.
As per reports, the ruling CPM-led LDF government, headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, that frequently asserts that the state ranks number one in governance and social indicators. Yet, in Kollam, the administrative committee of a Hindu temple has reportedly come under pressure from the police.
On March 9, the police are said to have warned the committee that a case would be registered if the RSS Gangeet was sung during programmes connected to the temple festival. The warning has triggered concerns over what observers describe as police intrusion into Hindu temple affairs and a violation of the Constitutional right of Hindus to practise and express their forms of worship.
The threat is reportedly from Anchalumoodu Police Station in the same district. Interestingly, the aforementioned temple does not come under the control of any Devaswom Board. Devaswom Boards function under the state government. Therefore, if a temple is under private management and not under any Devaswom Board administration, the government or the police do not have any locus standi to interfere in the affairs of such temples.
The police notice reportedly states that artists cannot sing any Gangeet as part of any temple programme. On top of that, they cannot sing not only Gangeet but also any historical picturisation or song. The Kumbha Vishakha Maholsavam is currently being conducted in the temple, and people are reportedly angry about what they describe as a fascist situation.
Here, observers point to what they describe as a strange equation: anything patriotic and nationalist is labelled as RSS, then BJP, and eventually linked to Modi.
Organiser had earlier reported several incidents of police action against a famous RSS Gangeet – Paramapavithramitaameemannil Bharatambaye Poojikkaan (Worshipping Bharatmata in this divine land …). Incidentally, both the CPM-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) are accused of joining hands in this anti-nationalistic exercise. Critics describe this as selective fascism. In temples reportedly controlled by CPM sympathisers, Che Guevara’s pictures are exhibited and orchestra troupes sing communist songs during temple festivals. They even raise the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad.”
