Kochi: The 'Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB)' in the southern state of Kerala has issued a circular banning mass shakhas and other programs organized by the 'Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)' in the temple complexes under the board. According to the circular issued on May 18, 2023, RSS will also not be allowed to set up shakhas in Travancore Devaswom Board temples. It has been said that action will be taken against the officers who violate the circular.

Kerala | Travancore Devaswom Board issued a circular on May 18 to all temples under them to not allow mass drills and other activities organised by the RSS on temple premises. The circular says that this should be strictly followed and action will be taken against those officers…

— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2023

The circular issued by TDB is a reiteration of an earlier order. In which it was said to ban the activities of the Sangh in Hindu temples. In the new circular, dissatisfaction has been expressed over non-compliance of these orders. Therefore, this time a warning of action has been issued for non-compliance of the order. According to the circular issued by the secretary of the board on March 30, 2021, activities other than rituals and festivals were banned in the temple premises. The TDB had also issued a circular in the year 2016, prohibiting the arms training and physical exercises of the Sangh in the temple premises.

At the same time, TDB's circular has been supported by the Congress. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly VD Satheesan has said that the board had issued a circular earlier as well, but it was violated by the RSS. The Sangh is trying to divide people by spreading hatred among them. Satheesan said that a holy place like a temple cannot be used for such activities.

Hindu outfits condemn the Travancore Devaswom Board's circular against RSS activities inside the temple premises across the state, term it 'appeasement'.

By secularising the temples, temples are being turned into institutions which have nothing to do with Dharma: @RatanSharda55 pic.twitter.com/6lYCKFHbBJ

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) May 23, 2023

At the same time, Hindu organizations have criticized the circular issued against the activities of RSS. Ratan Sharda, a writer associated with the Sangh, has described this circular as appeasement politics. He has said that temples are being secularized and converted into institutions that have nothing to do with religion.

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