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A case has been registered against 27 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers in Kollam district of Kerala. The reason behind registering the case is making a floral rangoli (Pookalam) on the theme of Operation Sindoor near the Sri Parthasarathy Temple Muthupilkkadu temple. A saffron flag was also made in this Pookalam. The High Court has already issued an order that political symbols such as photos, symbols, etc. are prohibited around the temple premises. BJP has condemned this action.
This incident took place near Sri Parthasarathy Temple in Muthupilkkadu, Kollam district. BJP has criticized the police decision to register a case against RSS workers and called it an action against “Operation Sindoor Pookalam”. Operation Sindoor was also written on the Pookalam along with flowers.
Kerala Police said that the High Court has ordered that no political symbol should be installed within 100 meters of the Kollam temple. There has been a battle for control over this temple for years between people associated with various political parties. In 2023, the court rejected the petition seeking permission to hoist the saffron flag near the temple.
Case registered after making Pookalam
A day before Onam, RSS workers and supporters laid a carpet of flowers near the main road of the temple. Along with this, they also designed a Pookalam resembling a saffron flag and a flex of Chhatrapati Shivaji barely 50 meters from the temple. This was done without the permission of the temple committee. They had assured the committee that no RSS symbol would be used for the Pookalam.
Along with this Pookalam, they had written ‘Operation Sindoor’ with flowers. No one has complained against writing ‘Operation Sindoor’ with flowers. The complaint is only against the design of the RSS flag.
The High Court had given its verdict in 2020
Many people associated with the RSS have been fighting for control of the temple for the last several years. There have been violent incidents in this temple earlier as well. The matter had reached the High Court. In the year 2020, the court directed the removal of all establishments/flags/placards associated with political parties and organizations. In 2023, a section of devotees approached the High Court and sought relaxation of the earlier decision, but the court rejected their plea.
BJP expressed displeasure over the action
Referring to the Pookalam case, BJP’s Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday said, “The police action against Operation Sindoor Pookalam is shocking. Is it only under the rule of Pakistan or is it ruled by Jamaat-e-Islami? For the first time in India, the police are registering a case on the charge of making Onam Pookalam. Who is the government trying to please by registering a case for writing Operation Sindoor on the carpet of Onam flowers?”
He also asked why the temple committee, whose members are affiliated to the CPI(M) and Congress, is afraid of Chhatrapati Shivaji? He said, they should not forget that they are running a Hindu temple.
