RSS song row at Kollam temple: Police register case against singer and committee

KOLLAM: Police have registered a case following complaints about the singing of the RSS Gana Geetham during a festival at the Manjippuzha Sree Bhagavathy temple in Kottukkal. The Kadakkal police acted on a complaint filed by Prathinraj, a local resident. The singer from the Nagercoil Night Bird music troupe is listed as the primary accused, while members of the temple advisory committee are also implicated. The FIR mentions that the song praised RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar during the music event.

The music event held on Saturday night at a temple managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has sparked controversy. The TDB has tasked its Assistant Commissioner with investigating the matter. The Temple Advisory Committee has responded to this. Advisory Committee President Sreejesh has claimed that the complaint was politically motivated and stated that it was a patriotic song that was sung. Meanwhile, Vice President Akhil Sasi has filed a separate complaint about RSS flags being installed on temple premises.

The music troupe explained that they performed the song upon public demand and noted that their sponsors, Team Chhatrapati from Kottukkal, had requested them to sing two RSS-related songs. However, they declined one of the songs due to unfamiliarity.

The controversy has drawn criticism from political parties. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan described the singing of an RSS song at a temple festival as deeply concerning and called for strict action by the TDB. He emphasised that temples should not be politicised, citing a High Court ruling against using temple premises for political events.

This incident follows another controversy in the same police station limits where revolutionary songs praising CPI(M) were reportedly sung during a recent temple festival.