Kannur: Attempts by political parties to take over temple festivals have become a new hurdle to peace efforts in Kannur.
The bone of contention between the CPM and the BJP is the kalasam varavu (procession with kalasam), a key event of the Muzhappilangad Kurumba Bhagawati temple festival, with both the parties bringing their versions of kalasams (sacred urns).
Party kalasams, which never follow the guidelines set by the temple, have become a matter of concern for both devotees and temple authorities. While the CPM arrives with kalasams in the form of martyrs' monuments, the BJP has them in the form of a trident.
In traditional kalasam varavu, a kalasam made of bamboo bent into the shape of a cornet and decorated with flowers, is brought from different parts of the area to the temple in processions.
Tension built up as both the CPM and the BJP workers too started bringing their kalasams as a show of their strength. On their way, the parties also raise slogans. At the temple entrance, they get their percussionists to perform for half an hour, with party workers dancing to their beats. This effectively blocks other groups of genuine kalasams from doing the customary round of the temple.
When parties started taking part in kalasam varavu, the temple authorities issued guidelines on the shape and measurement of kalasams and asked those taking part to register their names in advance. However, party workers who bring the kalasams in the name of clubs and associations didn't pay heed to the temple authorities.
Though the temple committee calls a meeting of political parties and seek their support for the festival, it doesn't work.
Last year, the CPM workers came with a kalasam in the shape of the martyr's monument at Koothuparamba. This year, out of the 79 kalasams presented, 10 belonged to political parties.
The BJP, however, claims that its kalasams are not against tradition. The CPM says that if the BJP is allowed to bring kalasams, they too can do the same. In such a situation, the temple authorities become helpless, while cops have a tough task at hand to avert any trouble.
The temple authorities are of the view that the district collector should intervene to stop party kalasams.
In politically charged Kannur, the party kalasams are a stark reminder of how parties are not even sparing even temple events in their fight for supremacy.
