Plea in Kerala High Court against RSS mass drills at Kollam temple

A temple devotee has moved the Kerala High Court accusing members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of carrying out illegal mass drills and weaponry training at the Manjippuzha Bhagavathi Bhadrakkal Temple in Kollam district [Prathinraj v State of Kerala & ors]..A Division Bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice Muralee Krishna S heard the matter on April 11, when the petitioner-devotee sought time to implead those who are allegedly involved in such activities at the temple premises. The Court allowed the request for time and posted the matter for further hearing on May 20. .The plea before the Court has been filed by one, Prathinraj, a devotee and resident of Kollam. He has claimed that right-wing political organisations, RSS and Bajrang Dal have used the premises of the Manjippuzha Bhagavathi Bhadrakkal temple for their political agendas.According to the petition, a temple festival - which was scheduled between April 5 and April 11 - was used by these groups to promote their ideological beliefs.He has alleged that these organisations put up saffron flags and banners at the vimana (structure over the inner sanctum of the temple) and Gopuram (entrance) of the temple.He further alleges that a song (Ganageetham) glorifying the RSS and its founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar was played during the temple festival on April 5. The petitioner has contended that this has hurt the sentiments of devotees and went against the secular and inclusive spirit of temple festivals.Moreover, he has accused the RSS of conducting mass drills and weaponry training in the temple premises, despite clear directions from the Court against such practices. "Even temple structures are being used for political gains. This is a deliberate insult to the devotees of the temple. Furthermore, a flag pole of the Bhajrang Dal has been set up outside the temple, in the side of the road, in contravention of several judgments of this Hon’ble court stating that political flag poles and hoarding must not be put up in public areas causing nuisance to the general public," the petition stated..The plea also cited a circular dated October 20, 2023, issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) that expressly banned shakhas (mass drills or training sessions) and weaponry training within temple premises. Reference was made to an April 13 High Court order as well on this issue, and a 2023 judgment in G Vyasan v State of Kerala, by which the Court stated that no political activity should take place in temples governed by the TDB.Despite these directives, the petitioner claims that no effective action has been taken by the Advisory Committee or the police. Even after a criminal complaint was registered, such illegal activities have continued at the temple, he claims.The petitioner has, therefore, urged the Court to order the government authorities, the Temple Advisory Committee, the Festival Committee and the TDB, to prevent any such political activity within temple premises..The petition has been moved through advocate Devaraj Subramanian..[Read Order]