Travancore Devaswom Board Dissolves Temple Advisory Committee After Controversy Over RSS Song, Political Flags During Festival

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has dissolved the advisory committee of the Manjippuzha Sree Bhagavathy Bhadrakali Temple in Kerala following a controversy over the performance of an RSS prayer song and the display of political flags during the temple’s annual festival in April.

An internal inquiry by the TDB confirmed that the RSS Gana Geetham was sung during a music programme sponsored by a local group named Team Chhatrapati, The New Indian Express reported.

The programme was held as part of the temple festivities.

The inquiry further found that flags of the Bajrang Dal and RSS were hoisted on the premises of the Kottukkal Bhagavathy Bhadrakali Temple, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Manjippuzha Devaswom.

“There is a clear TDB order strictly prohibiting the erection of flagpoles of political and communal organisations in temples and temple premises under the Travancore Devaswom Board, and the use of temples for the propagation of such ideologies. The Board will take strict action against anyone who violates this order,” TDB official was quoted as saying by TNIE.

The inquiry revealed that the installation of the flagpoles was carried out with the knowledge of certain committee members and temple staff.

Citing serious lapses, the TDB proceeded with the dissolution of the committee.

TDB President PS Prasanth had earlier described the incident as deliberate and expressed concern over the growing presence of political symbols on temple grounds.

Following internal disputes and a case filed among committee members, the Board held a hearing at its Thiruvananthapuram office before finalising the decision.

Kadakkal police have since registered a case against the singer of the Night Birds Orchestra and several members of the festival advisory and management committees.

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