Rashtraraksha Samithi holds parallel I-Day celebration in protest at Thrissur’s Thekkinkadu Maidan with full Vande Mataram rendition

The Rashtraraksha Samithi organised a protest at Thekkinkadu Maidan in Thrissur on Independence Day on Saturday objecting to the Kerala government’s decision not to include the full rendition of Vande Mataram in the official I-Day programme.

The protest, organised under the banner of the Rashtraraksha Samithi, was held near the Thekke Gopura Nada while the district administration’s official Independence Day celebrations were under way at the Students’ Corner. The protesters sang Vande Mataram in full and hoisted the national flag.

BJP State vice-president K.K. Anish Kumar hoisted the national flag at the protest programme. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Anish Kumar criticised Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, saying the State should be governed in accordance with the Constitution “and not according to the directions of any religious leader.” He said the government should uphold constitutional principles and national symbols.

The programme drew criticism from the Congress. Thrissur DCC president Joseph Tajet described the parallel event as disrespectful to the official Independence Day celebrations.

“The BJP-sponsored programme at the same venue and at the same time of the district administration’s official function amounts to a challenge to the administrative system. The programme was part of an attempt to advance a communal agenda and such political programmes should not detract from the significance of Independence Day,” Mr. Tajet said.

Mr. Tajet questioned the conduct of the programme on the temple grounds and referred to violation of Kerala High Court verdict banning political functions in the Thekkinkadu Maidan.

He demanded that Union Minister Suresh Gopi and the BJP’s Central and State leadership clarify their position on the issue. He also urged the Devaswom Board and other authorities concerned to take action if any rules or court directions had been violated.