Nemom : In the notice distributed for festival at Major Vellayani bhadrakali Devi temple of Travancore Devaswom Board, pictures of RSS leaders were printed alongside social reformers. The pictures were part of Kaliyoot Mahotsav.
The new phenomenon endorses wide criticism that after pro-RSS men were elected to the temple’s advisory committee, there is conscious effort to saffronise the temple. Swami Vivekananda, Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyankali feature on the notice and also appearing alongside are Chattambyiswami, Hedgewar and Golwalkar who have nothing to do with renaissance movements or temple rituals.
The temple being run by Travancore Devaswom Board, there is prior approval required as to contents of the notice. It is alleged that a section of the Board’s officials offer silent consent for RSS activities of this kind and more. Devotees demand that erring officials should be dealt with action against them and further that such notice should be withdrawn.
Earlier at the temple, when there took place violation of Dikhubali ritual, a group of devotees had approached the court and secured favourable verdict.
