Situation at Kerala's Kadalayi temple turns volatile as RSS, KSS men clash
The much publicised ‘sayanapradakshinam’ of writer K P Ramanunni to repent over the Kathua rape ended in an altercation between RSS workers and supporters of the Kerala Sanskrita Sangham.
Published: 08th June 2018 03:05 AM | Last Updated: 08th June 2018 03:05 AM | A+A A-
KANNUR: The much publicised ‘sayanapradakshinam’ of writer K P Ramanunni to repent over the Kathua rape ended in an altercation between RSS workers and supporters of the Kerala Sanskrita Sangham (KSS), who organised the repentance act at Chirackal Kadalayi Sreekrishna Temple on Thursday.
The Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer had on Tuesday announced his intention to perform the sayanapradakshinam to repent for the incident which had shocked the entire nation because of the communal hatred involved in it. He said he wanted to perform the sayanapradakshinam in the temple, as the crime was done in the name of religion inside a temple.
As the news came out, temple authorities and the RSS made it clear on Wednesday they wouldn’t let Ramanunni or anybody from the KSS perform the sayanapradakshinam as a mode of protest. “The temple is a place of worship. It is not a place to show your protest against injustices in the society,” said a temple staff. Also, KSS had not given any request to the Devaswom regarding the sayanapradakshinam.
On Thursday at 9 am, Ramanunni and KSS workers reached the temple and were stopped by the RSS workers waiting there. An altercation arose and scuffles broke out between CPM workers who came to the temple with Ramanunni and RSS workers.
The RSS workers said as a believer, Ramanunni and others could enter the temple and perform his sayanapradakshinam. Ramanunni said he was there as a believer and they let him in. As per custom, he bathed in the temple pond and entered the temple wearing a wet dhothi. Though he was allowed to get in, RSS workers stopped photographers and cameramen from entering.
As Ramanunni prostrated himself on the ground and started the ritual rolling, another altercation occurred between RSS men and the writer’s supporters over shooting photos and videos on phone. The police squad who were present at the temple from the morning, under the leadership of DySP P P Sadanandan, effectively interfered and were instrumental in stopping the situation from turning volatile.
Amid a mood of tension and scuffles, Ramanunni finished the sayanapradakshinam and completed the pradakshinam on foot. Even after he had got out of the temple, his supporters and RSS workers were seen arguing.
