MALAPPURAM: Another college in Kerala is flirting with controversy by publishing a poem that's likely to trigger Hindu ire.
A Nair Service Society (NSS) College in Manjeri in Kerala's Malapuram district publishing in its magazine a poem examining Kunti's chastity in the Mahabharata.
Titled Chodyam, (question) the four-line poem poses a question to those participating in TV debates as to why they don't discuss the chastity of Kunti. It's written by a student Rahana Sabeena.
The Hindu Aikya Vedi has come out against the poem,
contending that it casts aspersions on Kunti's character, mother of the Pandavas. The group's district secretary P K Sasi said legal action would be initiated against the college.
"We have demanded that the magazine be withdrawn and a notification published in newspapers,” he said.
The principal of the college, Azad Malayattil said the college has its regrets. However, he said it was not practical to withdraw the magazine at this stage.
"How can we withdraw it a month after its release?” he asked.
The magazine's student editor, Rahul N said the controversy was unwarranted, based on a misinterpretation of the poem.
"It is one of the better works in the magazine as it raises a valid question. A section of students wanted to rake up an issue with an eye on the forthcoming college union elections,” he said.