Amit Shah stirs a row by wishing Vamana Jayanti on Onam eve

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has created quite a stir in Kerala after wishing 'Vamana Jayanthi' through social media platforms on the eve of Onam, the national festival of Kerala. The BJP leader's tweet comes in the context of the Sangh Parivar organisations' interpretation that Onam is the birth anniversary of Vamana, the fifth Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The BJP Kerala has re-tweeted Amit Sha's post. A few days back, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Sasikala had come under fire for saying that Onam was the celebration of Vamana Avatar and that he eliminated the mythological figure King Mahabali for being too proud. The VHP leader invited sharp criticism for allegedly trying to saffronize and misinterpreting a quintessential Kerala tradition. 

Reacting sharply, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Shah insulted 'Kerala, Keralites and Kerala culture.'

As per the popular myth behind Onam, the national festival of Kerala, Mahabali, the just Asura king was sent to the netherworld by Vamana after the Devas grew jealous of the king's the increasing influence and power that threatened to unseat Indra. Malayalees all over the world celebrate Onam as they believe that the king would pay a visit every year in the Malayalam month of Chingam.

BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan defended Shah and stated that the politicians in Kerala were creating unnecessary controversy. "There is nothing new in wishing Vamana Jayanti as it is celebrated all over India including temples in Kerala. The controversy is malicious. It must be noted that he (Shah) has wished all Keralites on Onam as well," he said. 

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Shah greeted Malayalees across the globe a festival of "happiness, peace and prosperity."  

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