The cultural hub of Kerala, Thrissur, recently found itself embroiled in a political maelstrom after the revered temple festival, Thrissur Pooram, was marred by allegations of police excesses and unwanted restrictions. The ensuing chaos triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), who lambasted the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for “allegedly” dampening the festivities.
The festival, which commenced on 20 April 2024, traditionally draws crowds of devotees and onlookers to partake in its vibrant celebrations featuring music, processions, fairs, and the renowned fireworks display. However, reports emerged of police interference and stringent restrictions during the early morning rituals on Saturday, casting a shadow over the festivities.
This year, the Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu Devaswams presented a vibrant spectacle at Thekinkad Maidan where the Thrissur Pooram festivities were held. Thirty majestic elephants, adorned with decorative horns, captivated the audience as they descended to Puranagari. Both Devaswams showcased their unique silk umbrellas and watched the friendly competition unfold. As dusk fell, the brahmastras, concealed in quivers, illuminated the sky simultaneously at Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu, eliciting cheers from the crowd. The towering figure of Ram Lalla of Ayodhya emerged amidst the adorned elephants, symbolizing harmony between the two sections. Vadakkumnathan, Thiruvambadi Kannan, Paramekkav Bhagavathy, Sri Parameswaran, and Parasakthi graced Thekinkad Maidan in the form of ornate umbrellas. Additionally, the Thiruvambadi Devaswom introduced a new element to the festivities by paying homage to India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission and ISRO, offering a unique experience to the audience.
Allegations surfaced of police obstructing devotees’ entry, hampering ritualistic practices such as the display of LED-lit canopies honoring Lord Ram, and engaging in physical altercations with festival attendees. Scenes of confrontation between police officials and temple authorities further escalated tensions, prompting the Thiruvambadi Devaswom to suspend ceremonies in protest against what they perceived as unwarranted police restrictions, a first in the festival’s storied history.
In the aftermath of the debacle, political parties seized upon the controversy, with the BJP accusing the state government of orchestrating a conspiracy to undermine the Pooram. BJP state vice-president B Gopalakrishnan asserted that the incident was part of a deliberate attempt to sabotage the festival, highlighting a pattern of recurring issues surrounding the event in recent years.
Amid mounting criticism, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pledged a thorough investigation into the complaints lodged by temple management and the public. While acknowledging governmental constraints during the ongoing election period, Vijayan assured that the Director General of Police would conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incidents and submit a report.
The saga took a new turn with visuals emerging of district police chief Ankit Asokan engaged in heated exchanges with festival participants, adding fuel to the fire of public outrage, as reported by Manorama. Questions were raised regarding the appropriateness of police conduct within the sacred confines of the temple premises, particularly in contravention of a High Court directive barring footwear inside during the Pooram festivities.
Swami Jithathmananda from the Chinmaya Mission in Kerala raised the possibility that the inclusion of an image of Ram Lalla in the festival’s adornments might have incited the disturbances, deeming it a source of embarrassment for the Hindu community. Likewise, Hindu Aikya Vedi leader R.V. Babu voiced apprehension that such depictions could “offend” certain groups.
As the controversy reverberated across Kerala, the spectacle of Thrissur Pooram, renowned for its religious fervor and cultural significance, was overshadowed by discord and disarray. Despite efforts made to salvage the celebrations, including intervention by local leaders and officials, the bitterness of the police action, behaviour of the Communist state government lingers on.
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