Kochi: A police case was filed against RSS and BJP workers over a floral rangoli (pookkalam) which featured the RSS flag and ‘Operation Sindoor’.
The floral carpet, laid outside Parthasarathy temple in Kollam right next to the temple committee’s floral design, became a bone of contention as it violated Kerala High Court’s instructions.
According to police, both CPI(M) and BJP workers had been asked not to display political flags or symbols in Pookkalam as there had been tensions in the area earlier.
“The court has prohibited people from erecting flags, decorations and flex boards on the temple premises with the intention of creating unrest. However, in violation of this, on September 4, at around 9 p.m., the accused, without the permission of the temple committee, arranged a floral carpet and created a flag-like design symbolising the RSS flag on the main road leading to the temple. They also installed a flex board bearing the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji at a spot about 50 m away from the temple. The accused attempted to incite clashes between workers of various political parties,” the First Information Report (FIR) stated, reported The Hindu.
Even as officials clarified that the FIR was because of the use of RSS flag, and not related to the words ‘Operation Sindoor’, Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said it was an insult to the Armed forces and victims of terrorism.
Describing the registration of FIR filed by Sasthamcotta police as “shameful” and “seditious”, Chandrasekhar demanded its immediate withdrawal.
“Operation Sindoor is our pride. It is the symbol of the valor and courage of India’s armed forces. It is an operation that avenged the death of 26 innocent tourists who were killed after being asked their religion. This FIR by Kerala Police is an insult to each of those 26 victims of Terror and their families, and also every soldier who defends India with his blood and sacrifice,” Chandrasekhar said in a post on X.
“Kerala is not, and will never be, a land ruled by Jamaat-e-Islami or Pakistan. Kerala Police must not forget that this is India. To them and to the CM/Home Minister Pinarayi Vijayan ji, I say withdraw this shameful and seditious FIR. Now!” he added.
