Kerala college's magazine caricatures on national anthem draws flak
KANNUR: The annual magazine of Government Brennen College, Thalassery has courted controversy by publishing vulgar caricatures which depict the national anthem in a poor light and hurt Hindu sentiments. While one caricature shows a couple having sex behind chairs in a cinema hall while the national anthem is played on the screen, the other portrays a hand holding a phallus, with a flag written ‘Om’ tied to the wrist. The magazine was published on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the college.
The SFI-led college union defended the magazine, titled ‘Pellet,’ claiming it only portrayed contemporary issues and was not in bad taste. Brennen College principal K Muralidhas said the union had clarified the contents were misinterpreted by a section of students. “We have not withdrawn the magazine. We are planning to remove the controversial pages as agreed by the union,” he said.
Both the KSU and ABVP alleged the college union published ‘Pellet’ with obscene caricatures along with pro-Left articles to gain cheap political mileage. As protests mounted against the magazine, the college authorities temporarily suspended its distribution; a meeting of teachers was convened to discuss the issue.
BJP state general secretary K Surendran said legal action will be taken against the principal and magazine staff adviser.
“This is a deliberate attempt to disparage the national flag. The college authorities have made a mockery of the court order making it mandatory to play the national anthem in cinema halls. Such things cannot be tolerated in the name of freedom of expression,” he said.
ABVP alleges treason by SFI
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Reacting to the controversial content in the magazine of Brennen College, Thalassery, the ABVP on Wednesday said the portrayal of national symbols in the canvas of sexuality was equivalent to treason. The Sangh Parivar-affiliated student organsisation accused the SFI of creating controversies in a bid to gain attention in the wake of Communism losing relevance on college campuses. The ABVP also demanded stern action against those responsible for bringing out the “objectionable” content in the magazine.