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How Kerala’s Hindus Stood Up Against Fascist Communists, What Hindus In Other States Can Learn From The Episode

February 17, 2023
Anand Krishna

Recently, Kerala High Court issued an order against the district administration’s direction to the Vellayani Devi Temple to use politically neutral colours for festival decorations. The restriction on the temple from using only saffron-coloured decorations and flags as part of Kaliyoottu festival was forced up on by Communist administration and the police citing law and order provisions. But ultimately the Court and the devotees stood up against the fascist attitude of ruling government. The ‘Left’ tendency of linking anything Hindu or saffron with ‘law and order’ issue sets up a dangerous pattern. In this context this article will look in to the controversy at Vellayani temple in Kerala and understand how devotees stood up against communist fascism in the state.

An Arbitrary Diktat

Controversy erupted after Kerala Police directed temple authorities in Thiruvananthapuram’s Vellayani to take down saffron decorations put up for the Bhadrakali temple festival and use multi-colour ones instead. Temple authorities have claimed it is an attempt by the ruling CPI(M) to destroy Hindu rituals and customs. The 70-day-long Bhadrakali festival began on February 14. Ahead of the festival, the temple committee had decorated the area using customary saffron fabric, flags and bunting. They had also made a temporary shed using saffron-coloured materials. Local police asked temple committee to use decorations of all colours, citing law and order issues. After the temple authorities refused to change the decorations, the Assistant Commissioner of police called a meeting and asked them to use multi-coloured ones. Following this, the Additional District Magistrate also called a meeting of various departments to discuss conducting the temple festival, in which the police again asked for the use of multi-coloured decorations. Police said that in previous years, there were some law-and-order problems while organising the temple festival in Vellayani. On the basis of that, they ordered the use of decorations of all colours to avoid any untoward incidents.

The Left’s Hatred Towards Anything Hindu

But this approach by police reeks of intolerance propagated by the ruling Communist party especially against the Hindus in the state. It is not the first instances in which the ruling Communist government has openly tried to destroy traditions and customs of Hindus in the state. Whether it is calling Hindus as ‘cow piss drinkers’ or ferociously destroying age old traditions of ancient temples, the ‘Left’ has took a special interest in destroying Hindu traditions.

We have all seen what have gone down in Sabarimala. The communist wanted to fervently implement the Supreme Court decision to allow women in to Sabarimala despite plea from devotees. It is not only the males but female devotees as well wanted the Left government to provide adequate time for the believers to file a review petition. The police brutality unfolded post this incident against protesting devotees is unspeakable. It is to be remembered that it is in the same state of Kerala in which parties like Muslim League exists with their ‘green flag’ and apparent secular phrase of ‘Muslim’ in its party name. But displaying saffron becomes symbol of communalism and law and order problem for them.  

In Vellayani temple, the Hindu community adopted unique ways to oppose the ‘saffron ban’. As a mark of protest, several Hindu women wore traditional saree coupled with saffron blouses and suits with saffron dupattas.

Earlier in protest against the police instructions, devotees had set up a tent for a police post for the festival using saffron fabric. The temple authorities also had refused to remove the saffron flags and buntings. The devotees have alleged that the police are helping the anti-Hindu elements in the state. 

How The Hindus Resisted 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hindu Aikya Vedi and other Hindu organisations only joined the resistance by devotees. They held a protest yesterday in front of Nemom Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram over restriction on Major Vellayani Devi Temple from using only saffron-coloured decorations and flags as part of Kaliyoottu festival. The issue was taken to the Kerala High Court by the Hindu Aikavedi. The Kerala High Court ruled that the District Administration or the Police cannot insist that only politically neutral-coloured decorative materials are used for temple festivals. The orders from the Court came while the Police restrained the temple authorities of Vellayani Bhadrakali Devi temple in Thiruvananthapuram from using only saffron-coloured decorative materials as part of the Kaliyoottu festival.

Division Bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar further ruled that “Kaliyoottu festival at Major Vellayani Bhadrakali Devi Temple, which is a temple under the management of Travancore Devaswom Board has to be conducted in accordance with the custom, rituals and practices of that temple. Politics has no role to play in the conduct of daily worship and temple ceremonies and festivals. A worshipper or a devotee has no legal right to insist that saffron/orange-coloured decorative materials alone are used for festivals in a temple under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board….Similarly, the District Administration or the Police cannot insist that only politically neutral-coloured decorative materials are used for temple festivals The District Administration or the police cannot meddle with the power of the Travancore Devaswom Board in conducting Kaliyoottu festival in accordance with the custom, rituals and practices of that temple.”

As of now the incident seems settled. The resistance of devotees and prudent decision making by the High Court has saved another traditional Hindu temple from being under attack of the communist government. This is not one odd incident of unfortunate events but only a link in the history of long drawn attack by Communists on Hindu traditions and customs. India is a democratic nation and fascism of the left using brutal police force has no place in a country like India. The citizens of Kerala should remember these atrocities unleashed by the Communists before heading to the polling booth when next election is around the corner. Only us a people can defend against this ecosystem of raw atrocities committed the Communists.

And this entire episode is a lesson for Hindus in other states to not hesitate to hit the streets for their rights.

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