Kerala Government Wants To Stop RSS From Using Temple Premises For Shakhas

Stepping up its clamp on the activities of political adversaries in Kerala, the Communist government of the state is all set to come out with a circular that will effectively ban the RSS from using temple sites for its ‘shakhas’.

The order will prevent shakha activities like exercises and learning lessons at temples under Devaswom Board.

State BJP president Kummanom Rajasekharan criticised the move and said that the RSS conducted its shakhas as per law and after getting due permission and sanction from the authorities concerned.

“The Devaswom Minister, who says that arms training should not be allowed at the shrine complexes, should also reveal the names of the shrines where such training drills have been held,” he said, and added that the objective of the move is to make temple complexes venues for the activities of CPI-M workers. It is part of an attempt of the CPI-M to silence all those who oppose the violent activities of the Communists.

“A law banning arms training is already in existence. We are not doing anything in violation of the temple traditions and customs,” he claimed.

The state Devaswom department has taken the initiative in the wake of complaints that the RSS was holding drills at the temple premises, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran said.