Temple Festivals Used for CPM Politics: Protests Grow in Kerala
In Kerala, temples managed by the Devaswom Board are facing a growing problem: political interference. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has been accused of turning temple events into opportunities for party promotion, upsetting many people. One clear example happened at the Kadakkal Devaswom Board Temple in Kollam. During the Thiruvathira festival, a music program meant to celebrate the occasion ended up featuring songs that praised the CPM, like DYFI Zindabad, Pushpane Ariyamo, and Lal Salaam.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Kerala’s High Court has a rule that says temples can’t be used for political activities. But at Kadakkal, the CPM and its youth group, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), ignored this. They put up party flags and symbols on a big screen while a singer, Aloshi, performed these political songs in the temple auditorium. Many see this as disrespectful to the temple’s purpose as a place of worship.
People are angry, and protests are spreading. V.D. Satheesan, the opposition leader, spoke out against it. He asked, “Why are they singing political songs like Pushpane Ariyamo or shouting slogans like Inquilab Zindabad at a temple festival?” He called it a clear violation of the court’s orders and a misuse of a religious event.
The CPM seems to have a plan behind this. At a recent party meeting, they decided to get more involved in temples and religious places to spread their influence. The Kadakkal event looks like part of that strategy. But it’s caused a big backlash. Devotees and locals say temples should be for prayer, not politics, and they’re upset with the CPM for crossing that line.
The Devaswom Board, which runs the temple, hasn’t explained why this was allowed to happen. Their silence is making things worse, as people demand answers about who’s responsible for letting a religious celebration turn into a political show. The growing protests show how strongly people feel about keeping temples free from party agendas.