Pune’s Nashik Dhol troupe sparks ‘Saffronisation’ row in Thripunithura Athachamayam

Kochi: Allegations of “saffronisation” have cast a political shadow over Thripunithura’s historic Athachamayam procession, with the Congress and the CPM accusing the BJP-led municipal council of allowing political and ideological symbolism into a festival traditionally celebrated as a symbol of cultural diversity and communal harmony.

The controversy was triggered by the inclusion of a Nashik Dhol troupe from Pune, whose performers waved large saffron flags during the procession. A separate controversy over a competition float featuring vulgar and sexually suggestive content further embarrassed the organisers and raised questions over the screening of entries.

Held on the Atham star in Chingam, Athachamayam traditionally marks the beginning of Kerala’s 10-day Onam celebrations. The procession showcases Kerala’s folk and classical arts and has long carried a secular character, with representatives of Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities traditionally participating in the ceremonies.

Senior Congress leader and former Thripunithura MLA K Babu alleged that Bajrang Dal workers were part of the troupe and that the Celebration Committee was aware of their participation.

“The Bajrang Dal workers came carrying their flag, wearing the official badge of the Celebration Committee, and dressed in their organisational uniform. Therefore, there is absolutely no doubt that this happened with the full knowledge of the Celebration Committee officials. That is precisely the reason for our strong protest. Also, the committee has paid ₹4 lakh for this programme from the official committee’s fund. This will destroy the atmosphere of peace and harmony in our society. Hence, we demand that the Municipal Chairman and the Convenor who are responsible for this provide a clear answer, or quit their offices,” Babu told Onmanorama.

Congress Parliamentary Party Leader CA Shaji said political ensembles had earlier been kept out of the procession regardless of which party proposed them in the previous editions.

“Years ago, when Congress suggested bringing the Seva Dal band, CPM opposed it, and we dropped it. When the DYFI or CPM proposed their band set, Congress opposed it, and they didn’t bring it either. But this was brought without informing anyone. Had we blocked it on the street once the procession officially started, it would have created a major scene and ruined an event with so much heritage. If they had told us beforehand, we would never have permitted it,” Shaji said.

‘Deliberate plan’ to communalise festival
ES Rakesh Pai, General Convener of the Atham Celebration Committee and a CPM leader, alleged that the BJP-led Procession Sub-Committee had acted unilaterally.

“I had clarified right from the beginning that ₹4 lakh would not be sanctioned from the Atham fund for the Nashik Dhol. Bringing them from Pune under the guise of sponsorship and lining up people around them wearing badges distributed through RSS Shakhas was a deliberate plan executed solely by the Procession Committee Convener and the Chairman to communalise the event. We had strictly averted political interference elsewhere—barring political guests and employing official Civil Defence and Team Kerala volunteers. But the Procession Committee concealed which floats and art forms were participating,” he said.

Municipality rejects saffronisation charge
Municipal Chairperson P L Babu said that the Nashik Dhol was invited as a cultural attraction after organisers saw the troupe’s performances on YouTube. He also said that it was done only after the committee’s approval.

He said the saffron flags were part of Maharashtrian cultural tradition associated with Shivaji Maharaj and were not RSS flags.

“When Theyyam performers come fully adorned in red, do you call it ‘communist-isation’? Their uniform is pure red. If we wanted to saffronise, couldn’t we have planned it overtly? This was the largest procession in Thripunithura’s history. Unable to digest its grand success, the opposition is manufacturing controversies,” P L Babu said.

Procession Committee Convener Vijayasree also denied allegations of political or religious chanting.

“No gana geethams were sung; people are just making that up. They wore red dresses, and the flag was Maharashtra’s cultural flag. Can we do anything or transfer money from the Atham account without General Convener Rajesh Pai knowing? The Chairperson had explicitly announced the Nashik Dhol in the press conference. It was included simply to bring something fresh and attractive,” she added.

Separate row over ‘Kochikkaran’s Spa’ float
The saffronisation controversy was followed by a separate uproar over a competition float presented by social media influencer Vishnu Kochikkaran.

The float, titled ‘Kochikkaran’s Spa’ and presented by influencer Vishnu Kochikaran, came under criticism from local residents, political representatives and others for vulgar and sexually suggestive depictions considered inappropriate for a family-oriented cultural procession.

The controversy also exposed shortcomings in the organisers’ screening process. The float had been submitted under a different guise around the “Spa” theme, but the Procession Committee admitted that it had failed to properly scrutinise the entry before the procession.

The LDF and Congress alleged that the float had been introduced with the backing of local BJP leaders, specifically members of the BJP committee in Maradu, and cited it as evidence of negligence by the municipal leadership.

However, the organisers described the episode as a serious oversight. They said they were taken by surprise by the float’s actual presentation and would have stopped it at the starting point had they known its content.

P L Babu said the float did not resemble the theme presented to the organisers and confirmed that its ₹20,000 allowance from the committee had been withheld.

Protests led by CPM Area Committee member S Madhusoodanan and Congress leaders were held outside the municipal office. The opposition has indicated that the issues will remain part of its campaign against the BJP-led council.