Thiruvananthapuram. In a shocking development, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has reiterated its ban on RSS ‘shakhas’ (branches) or mass drills at temples under its management in Kerala. It should be noted that Kerala’s communist govt, through the Devaswom Ministry, oversees the affairs of these autonomous boards.
In a recent circular, the TDB expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of its previous order from 2021, which prohibited the sangh from conducting training on temple properties. The board warned of strict action against officials who fail to comply with the ban.
This is not the first time the TDB has taken measures to restrict training within temple complexes. In 2016, the board issued a circular banning all forms of arms training by the RSS. The circular was reissued on March 30, 2021, emphasizing the need for action by officials.
A senior TDB official stated that the latest circular aims to prevent the operation of RSS ‘shakhas’ inside temple premises. The move comes in response to concerns raised by the then Devaswom Minister, Kadakampally Surendran, in 2016, alleging that the RSS was attempting to transform temples in Kerala into arm storage facilities.
The government had received numerous complaints regarding this matter.