Kochi: Emergence of Right Wing leader Veer Savarkar’s image on some umbrellas (kuda) brought out for the Kudamattam (exchange of umbrellas) event kicked up controversy after which they were taken off from the event.
The Azadi Umbrellas are brought out by the Paramekkavu Devi temple depicting pictures of revolutionary leaders, freedom fighters and social reformers.
It was among them that Savarkar’s image came to the attention of a few people associated with organising the festival.
The news about it spread like a wildfire following which the Youth Congress, AISF took out protests while social media made it a viral.
State Minister Radhakrishnan and CPM also protested over it after which the flags were removed.
Sources in the Paramekkavu devaswom told thenewsskerala.com that it was removing the disputed umbrellas to avoid controversies.
Ironically, noted actor and BJP leader Suresh Gopi had unveiled the umbrellas.
Expressing concern over the temple management’s (Dewaswom) decision to withdraw it, the BJP district president Aneesh Kumar said that the Communists, who were non believers, had no business to poke their nose in temple affairs.
The Communists have always criticized the freedom fighters and the present issue is part of it .
What right the leftists have in criticising Savarkar who was awarded a life term twice, he said.
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of it’s people, culture and achievements, he said.
Photo Credit: thenewsskerala.com
