TDB imposes ban on RSS drills and other activities in Kerala temples, triggers political controversy
Thiruvananthapuram: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), responsible for managing approximately 1200 temples in southern part of India, has issued a circular prohibiting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from organizing mass drills and other activities on temple premises. The TDB emphasized that the directive must be strictly adhered to and warned of consequences for officers who fail to comply.
K Ananthagopan, the President of the TDB, stated during a press conference that RSS Shakhas (branches) were conducting drills and other activities within many temples, leading to the issuance of the circular. He emphasized that temples are meant for devotees and should not cause any inconvenience to them, hence the board's stance on this matter.
Ananthagopan clarified that the TDB has not conducted investigations within any temples due to ongoing festivals, and the concern is not solely limited to the RSS but extends to any interference by other groups as well.
This is not the first time the TDB has addressed this issue. In March 2021, they issued a similar circular warning against the utilization of temple premises for non-religious activities. Furthermore, in 2016, the board restricted all forms of arms training by the RSS.
The latest circular issued by the TDB emphasizes strict consequences for those who fail to comply with the ban.
While the RSS criticized the Travancore Devaswom Board for its circular, the Congress party welcomed the decision. Indresh Kumar, an RSS member, deemed the circular undemocratic and claimed that the RSS does not provide weapon training in its Shakhas. Udit Raj, a Congress leader, expressed support for the decision and stated that the RSS is free to pursue its agenda elsewhere, away from the temples.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
