Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remark: Pooram controversy flaring up again

THRISSUR: Following Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remark that Thrissur Pooram was not disrupted and that only the fireworks were delayed a little, the Pooram controversy has turned into a mass explosion. The controversy flared up again with the CPI making it clear that the pooram was disrupted. The Thiruvambady Devaswom's stand is that what the chief minister is saying is not right while the Congress reiterates that even the ministers had said in the assembly that the pooram was disrupted.

With this, Pooram became a campaign tool in this by-election as well. The aim is to get the votes of pooram lovers in Chelakkara and Palakkad. Thrissur Pooram's ezhunnallippu and fireworks have become topics of discussion. The central government's notification, which may lead to a fireworks crisis, had also raised concerns. The devaswoms are protesting against the proposal to increase the distance between the place where fireworks materials are stored and the fireline from 45 metres to 200 metres. Meanwhile, the high court also observed the other day that it is arrogant for humans to use elephants for processions in festivals. The division bench also observed that if the whale living in the sea could be used for processions, it would have been caught too. The court also said that it will issue guidelines for the elephant processions.

"It was attempted to disrupt the Thrissur pooram. It was not successful."

- MV Govindan

CPM State Secretary

"The personal and political reasons associated with pooram have been clearly stated inside and outside the assembly. There is no need to discuss anything new."

- Minister K Rajan

"Arrangements should be made at the government and official level to conduct the Pooram celebrated by the people of Thrissur irrespective of caste and creed."

- K. Gireesh Kumar

Secretary, Thiruvambady Devaswom.