THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran’s visit to Guruvayur temple triggered a controversy, with the CPM state leadership saying it is collecting details regarding the matter. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said he was not aware of details of the minister’s temple visit. The minister had visited the temple on Ashtami Rohini day and offered pushpanjali on behalf of his family members. Apart from making donation, he reportedly offered prayers at the sacred steps of the temple. He contributed money for anna danam as well. Later at a public meeting, the minister said he felt content after the visit.
Since CPM ministers visiting temples is rare, the visit created a controversy. However, he said those who were intolerant about good works he was doing were creating an unnecessary controversy.
Kadakampally Surendran said his family members were staunch devotees and he had never tried to change them.
Meanwhile, BJP and Sangh Parivar welcomed Kadakampally’s visit to Guruvayur Temple. BJP leaders said the prayers offered by the minister at the Guruvayur temple was a befitting reply to Kodiyeri and P. Jayarajan’s plan to disrupt ashtami rohini festival.
It may be recalled that the CPM had brought out a rectification document in 2009 which laid down clear guidelines for party workers and leaders on such matters. There were two aspects of religious activity which were mentioned in the rectification campaign document adopted by the Central Committee.
One of the guidelines given was educate the party members to eschew all social, caste and religious practices which are alien to Communist norms.
The second referred to the guidelines for the conduct of leading Party functionaries and elected representatives. “They have also been asked not to organise religious ceremonies or personally conduct religious rituals. Leading Party cadres such as leaders of state committee, district committee, zonal/area committees etc are expected to uphold progressive values in their personal and social lives. They should not organise religious ceremonies, or, personally conduct rituals. It is another matter that they may have to participate in social functions with religious ceremonies organised by others, especially if they are elected representatives like MLAs, panchayat members and so on. Communist Party leaders cannot profess something in public and do something else in their personal life,” the document said.
