CPM, Sangh Parivar at war as Kerala plans to ban RSS Shakhas in temples

The Sangh Parivar and the Left in Kerala are headed for another showdown as the government is resolutely moving ahead with a plan to ban all kinds of physical or weapon’s training in temples under Devaswom Boards, an apparent attempt to prevent the daily RSS assemblies (Sakha). 

With the consent of Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Devaswom Department has drafted an order to ban all kinds of drills, weapon training and gatherings for non-religious activities in the temple premises. Reports say that the order, prepared in consultation with the Law Department, will be issued officially within a week. 

The proposed order is based on the provisions of the Kerala Police Act 2011 which prohibits individuals or organisations from conducting self-defence training without prior approval. Nearly 3,000 temples in the state come under the jurisdiction of four Devaswom Boards and the order will be applicable for all. 

Earlier, Devaswom Minister had raised objections against conducting RSS Shakhas in temple premises. There are complaints from the public that the Sangh Pariwar is storing weapons in the temples, the minister said. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) state secretary Kodiyery Balakrishnan had also demanded a ban on RSS Shakhas in temple grounds.  
   

  Meanwhile, the BJP and the Sangh Parivar strongly objected the move to issue the order targeting the RSS Shakhas. BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan warned against any attempt to stop the regular functioning of the RSS. "The CPM is trying to do what Indira Gandhi failed to accomplish during Emergency," he said referring to the crackdown on the RSS in the 1970s. 

• RSS-BJP
• Ban on RSS Shakhas
• Left govt. in Kerala
• CPM-RSS clash