Kerala’s Temple Affairs Minister Kadakampally Surendran Monday claimed that RSS has converted temples into its shakhas, and that its cadres are allegedly storing weapons in the temples. “The government has got several complaints about illegal operation of RSS shakhas at temples. The government will take strong action against the conduct of (such) shakhas,’’ he said.

He also alleged that the Sangh is trying to keep devotees away from temples by turning them into “storehouses of arms” and giving “arms training” to its cadres.

The BJP rubbished the allegations and slammed the LDF government’s “anti-Hindu” stance.

Surendran’s remarks come a day after Public Works Minister G Sudhakaran said lighting of lamps, as has been the practice traditionally, and singing of religious hymns at government programmes and functions should be avoided. “Our Constitution has no religion or caste. Hence (there is) no need to light nilavilakku (traditional lamps) during government functions,’’ he had said.

He said patriotic songs should be sung at such events.

Last week, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a Facebook post, had urged government employees to avoid making floral carpets in office during work hours to mark Onam.

Reacting to the slew of directions and observations, BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh said these “objections” have exposed the “anti-Hindu face” of the CPM-led government. “The CPM should refrain from opposing Indian culture,” Ramesh said.

BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said, “Minister Sudhakaran’s objection to prayers and lighting of lamp showed the cultural fascism of CPM. In future, the CPM may speak against reciting prayers at home,” he said. Rajasekharan also dared the Temple Affairs Minister to reveal “in which temple the RSS is conducting its shakha”.

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