A major controversy has erupted in Kerala after the rendition of the RSS "gana geetham" (prayer song) during a musical concert at a temple in Kottukkal, managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). The incident has prompted sharp criticism from the Opposition Congress, with demands for immediate action against those responsible for politicising a religious event.

The Incident at the Temple

The contentious event occurred during a 'gana mela' (musical concert) held at the temple in the early hours of Sunday morning. A professional music troupe allegedly performed the RSS prayer song, a move that sparked political backlash. The performance took place during a temple festival, raising concerns about the violation of the apolitical nature of temple events, especially those managed by government-affiliated boards like the TDB.

Allegations of RSS Flag Hoisting

Apart from the song, allegations surfaced that RSS flags were erected within the temple premises in connection with the festival. The Kadakkal police confirmed they had received a formal complaint from a member of the temple’s advisory committee, although a case has not been registered yet.

Opposition's Strong Reaction

V D Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the act. According to him, this is a “grave concern” that must be addressed immediately. He cited a High Court ruling that explicitly bars the use of temple premises for political activities, reinforcing that devotional spaces must remain apolitical.

“Temples belong to the devotees. Turning temple festivals into platforms for political propaganda reflects a narrow-minded approach, and such trends must be countered strongly,” Satheesan said.

He urged both the Travancore Devaswom Board and the state government to act promptly and firmly to prevent such incidents from repeating in the future.

Prior Incidents in the Same Region

This incident follows another controversy within the same police station limits, where revolutionary songs allegedly praising the CPI(M) were sung during a temple festival. This has prompted a larger debate around the increasing politicisation of temple events across political lines in Kerala.

Background of RSS Gana Geetham

The RSS prayer song, known as the Sangh Prarthana, was first publicly sung by RSS Pracharak Yadav Rao Joshi on May 18, 1940, at a Sangh Shiksha Varg in Nagpur. The song holds spiritual and ideological importance within the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and is typically recited during their daily shakhas and meetings.

Devaswom Board’s Role and Responsibility

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is a statutory body responsible for managing over a thousand temples in southern Kerala. As per guidelines, these temples are expected to uphold secular and apolitical standards, particularly during religious events. The TDB has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the recent controversy, but pressure is mounting for internal disciplinary action and new monitoring protocols.

Broader Implications

This development has once again brought Kerala’s temple administration under scrutiny, especially regarding the use of public religious spaces for political agendas. Secular norms and court mandates exist to safeguard the spiritual neutrality of temples, and this incident has rekindled public debate about the blurring lines between religion and politics.

The polarising nature of the event has also highlighted how religious platforms are increasingly being used as soft power tools to influence public sentiment. With upcoming political activities in the state, such episodes can fuel communal or ideological divisions, experts warn.

The Road Ahead

With no case filed yet, and both the government and TDB remaining silent, public pressure is building on the authorities to take decisive action. Legal experts suggest that if the High Court’s ruling on temple premises is found to have been violated, legal action could follow under the Devaswom regulations and other applicable laws.

The Congress party, meanwhile, continues to demand that such acts be treated seriously, pointing out the growing trend of political encroachment on religious events.

If repeated, such instances could alter the communal harmony and distort the spiritual fabric of Kerala’s deeply revered temple traditions.

In Conclusion, the singing of the RSS prayer song at a temple festival has raised critical questions about the use of sacred spaces for ideological expressions. As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Travancore Devaswom Board, law enforcement, and the Kerala government respond to this sensitive matter.

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