DYFI flags.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prasanth on Saturday said a vigilance probe has been ordered into the alleged display of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) flags and the performance of songs glorifying the CPI(M) at a recent temple festival in Kollam district.
The Congress-led UDF criticised the incident at the temple and accused the ruling party of being "a shameless party" attempting to create space for the BJP in the state.
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan, in a statement, said during the temple festival at Kadakkal temple in Kollam, symbols of the Left party, along with the names of CPI(M) and DYFI, were displayed in a background video while a singer performed a song about former CPI(M) member Pushpan.
"Does this person have no other place to sing? Why are the devotees being asked if they know Pushpan? This is a shameless party. Is their goal to create conflict there and make room for the BJP... The problem is that the arrogance of power has gone to their heads," Satheesan contended.
Earlier in the day, TDB president Prasanth told a TV channel that the display of political flags or symbols inside temples is strictly prohibited by the courts, and the Board had issued a circular regarding this to all places of worship under its control.
The TDB president stated that the temple’s management committee had organised the festival programmes, and as soon as the Board became aware of the incident, a notice was ordered to be issued to them.
"We have also ordered a vigilance probe into the matter, and once its report is received, strict action will be taken against those responsible," he said.
Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) is a youth organisation of CPI(M).
He further mentioned that last week, a vigilance report was received regarding RSS drills being conducted at a temple in Perumbavoor.
"We took the same stand there as well—that political party flags, symbols, or activities will not be permitted inside temples," he said.
TDB member A Ajikumar stated that a Board meeting is scheduled for March 19, during which this issue will be discussed.
"Our stance is very clear—no temple festival should become a platform for political activities, flags, or symbols. This is our firm policy. Strict action will be taken against violations. The Board has no political affiliations," he clarified.