The Parambayi Kuttichathan Math festival in Kannnur has sparked controversy after Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] workers allegedly used flags featuring images of murder convicts during the final day procession on Sunday.
The display of pictures of eight individuals sentenced to life imprisonment in the Sooraj murder case has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters.
Revolutionary songs
The temple premises were adorned with flags displaying the faces of the convicts. The procession, held in an area known as a CPI(M) stronghold, featured slogans with reference to prominent communist leaders such as A.K. Gopalan (AKG) and E.M.S Namboodiripad, alongside revolutionary songs.
The incident comes at a time when both the CPI(M) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are increasingly using festival fairs in Kannur district as platforms to showcase their strength and influence.
Political observers note that the incident reflects the deep entanglement of political rivalries in Kannur’s socio-cultural landscape. It has ignited a debate over the political nature of festival celebrations.
Published – March 31, 2025 07:17 pm IST
