The singing of the RSS's 'Gan Geetam' at a musical event in an ancient temple located in Kottarakkara, Kollam district, Kerala, has sparked a political controversy.
Kollam: The performance of the RSS's 'Gan Geetam' (prayer song) during a musical program at a temple in Kottarakkara, Kollam district, Kerala, has ignited a controversy. The temple is managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The song, performed by a professional troupe during a musical event called 'Ganamela' on Sunday morning, has drawn sharp reactions from political circles. The Congress party has condemned the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Controversy Over 'Gan Geetam' and Flags at the Temple
According to local sources and police reports, not only was the RSS song sung on the temple premises, but the organization's flags were also displayed during the event. The opposition alleges that this incident indicates the "political exploitation" of the temple premises, violating High Court directives.
Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, reacted bly, stating that using temples as platforms for political ideologies is an insult to the faith of devotees. He demanded immediate action from the Travancore Devaswom Board against those responsible. He emphasized that this was not merely a song, but an attempt to impose an organization's ideology within temple premises.
He further stated that the court's clear instructions mandate keeping temple premises free from political activities, and this incident is a direct defiance of those instructions.
Devaswom Board's Silence
While political reactions have intensified following the incident, the Devaswom Board (TDB) has yet to issue a clear statement. However, sources suggest the board is considering an internal inquiry into the matter. The controversy has also become a subject of local debate, with some believing the troupe sang the song unknowingly, while others consider it a deliberate cultural intrusion.
