'Glorifying Murderers On Temple Premises': CPM Celebrates Workers Convicted In Kerala BJP Leader’s 2005 Murder

A temple festival celebration featuring flags with images of those convicted in the 2005 murder of BJP member Elambilayi Sooraj has ignited a political row in Kerala’s Kannur district, The New Indian Express reported.

The BJP Kannur leadership has strongly condemned the act, accusing the CPM of glorifying murderers and politicising religious spaces.

The controversial flags were displayed during the kalasha procession at the Kuttichathan Madom festival in Parambayi on Sunday (30 March) night. The event, which included DJ performances, slogan chanting, and dancing, saw party workers waving flags featuring the faces of the convicts.

Visuals of the celebration circulated on social media, marking a significant deviation from traditional temple festivities, which typically showcase devotional songs and rituals.

BJP Kannur South district president Biju Elakkuzhi alleged that the act was orchestrated with the full knowledge of the CPM leadership.

“Traditionally, temple processions feature devotional songs. However, in contrast, the CPM-dominated areas are promoting slogans and songs that glorify murderers. This deliberate attempt by the CPM leadership aims to undermine temple customs,” he asserted.

Biju further accused the CPM of exploiting Hindu temples for political propaganda. “Glorifying murderers on temple premises is an attack on religious traditions,” he said.

“They are not isolated incidents. Just days ago, widespread violence erupted at the Manolikkavu temple festival in Thalassery under CPM’s leadership,” Biju added.

On 8 March, the Thalassery District Sessions Court sentenced eight CPM workers to life imprisonment for the murder of Sooraj on 7 August 2005.

Among those convicted were T K Rajeesh, E V Yogesh, K Shamjith, P M Manoraj, and Neyyoth Sajeevan, while Prabhakaran Master, K V Padmanabhan, and Monambeth Radhakrishnan were found guilty of criminal conspiracy.

Investigations revealed that Sooraj had been attacked by CPM activists six months before his murder, leaving him with a severe leg injury. After months of recovery, he was attacked again and killed.

Following the verdict, CPM district secretary M V Jayarajan defended the convicts, stating that all the accused were innocent, confirming that the party would appeal in a higher court.

Party workers had chanted slogans and followed police vehicles carrying the convicts from the Thalassery court to Kannur Central Jail.

Unofficial CPM-affiliated social media accounts, including Red Army and Porali Shaji, have since circulated videos glorifying the convicts.

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