A historic Shiva temple in Kerala has become the epicenter of a major religious and political controversy after its main gate was locked by municipal authorities following alleged threats and intimidation by activists of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which is the political arm of the banned terror organization PFI.
The Aralummoodu Shivapuram Sree Mahadeva Temple in Balaramapuram, a place of worship established over 80 years ago by the ancestors of freedom fighter Ramanathan Nair, has been sealed, halting ongoing renovation work and disrupting daily rituals. The action has drawn fierce protests from Hindu organizations and raised serious questions about the safety of the minority Hindu community in the area.
According to reports, the controversy erupted when the temple, based on the findings of a traditional ‘devaprasnam’ ritual, began renovation work. It was at this juncture that individuals alleged to be SDPI activists intervened. They reportedly threatened the Balaramapuram municipal secretary, demanding that the temple work be stopped as it was “illegal.”
The intimidation did not stop there. A police officer from the Special Branch also called the temple committee and threatened them to halt the renovation. Facing this pressure, the municipal secretary eventually locked the main gate of the temple and posted a notice stating, “This is municipal land; entering without permission is forbidden, violators will be prosecuted.”
A Pattern of Intimidation
The incident reveals a deeper pattern of intimidation. Hindu Aikya Vedi state secretary K. Prabhakaran, who is leading the protest at the temple site, stated that the municipal secretary admitted to them that he was threatened by four SDPI men. “When pressed about which group, he wouldn’t say at first, then admitted it was SDPI, that SDPI men threatened him, spoke in a threatening tone, and forced the closure,” Prabhakaran said.
He also stated that the municipal secretary, when confronted, admitted that four men from the SDPI had threatened him, forcing his hand. “They are not local residents, they are outsiders,” Prabhakaran stated, adding that the same SDPI group had previously targeted the old Gopan Swami Samadhi.
The intimidation reportedly extended beyond the municipal office. Police officers were also threatened, and a Special Branch police officer subsequently called the temple committee, threatening them to stop the renovation.
Local Harmony Disrupted, Hindus “Live in Fear”
Protesters and local devotees emphasize that the local Muslim community has historically lived in harmony with the temple. They point out that Muslim residents have traditionally participated in temple festivals like the ‘kanji vezhuthu’ (rice-porridge offering) and have had no objections to the temple’s presence or its renovation.
The lockout has sent shockwaves through the local Hindu community, who now say they live in “fear day and night.” Protesters have drawn stark comparisons, asking, “Is this Afghanistan, is this Taliban, or is this Pakistan?”
Hindu organizations are questioning if Kerala is becoming “Afghanistan, Taliban, or Pakistan,” where they are being targeted. They allege that the municipality’s action is selective, as numerous illegal settlements in the vicinity, including an area known as Thakkapalli, have been left untouched, while only the ancient temple is being targeted.
Suspicions of Political Backing and Sustained Protests
Protesters have raised suspicions of political backing for the SDPI’s actions, pointing to the ruling CPM as a possible force “behind the effort to disrupt religious harmony.” They also allege a double standard in enforcing encroachment laws, noting that numerous illegal settlements in the vicinity, including Thakkapalli, have been left untouched due to political patronage, while only the temple is being targeted.
In response, devotees and Hindu groups, including the Hindu Aikyavedi, have begun a continuous protest camp on the temple grounds, conducting chanting protests (namajapa) and vowing to agitate until the temple is reopened. They have issued a stern warning to the government and local authorities, holding them responsible for all consequences if the lock is not removed immediately and the “injustice” against the Hindu community is not rectified.
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