“Move to sabotage boat race is retaliation by Congress leaders,” alleges Aranmula Karma Samiti.

published on September 4, 2013

The Aranmula Paithrukagrama Karma Samiti has alleged that decision taken by the executive council of Palliyoda Seva Sangham to skip the annual boat race is in retaliation of the decision of censuring the state’s top Congress leaders from participating in the temple functions.

Terming the move as an “anti-people’s move”, the Karma Samiti has flayed the council’s decision which goes diametrically against the very ethos of traditional celebrations.

“The move is deplorable. The reason given by the executive council of skipping the annual boat race owing to lack of funds is nothing but pure denigration of Hindu society. This is indeed a matter that has caused deep anguish. It is clear that the move comes following the censure imposed on Sivadasan Nair, PJ Kurien and Anto Antony,” said senior members of Paithrukagrama Karma Samiti.

“The very forces that are trying to ravish the holy land of Lord Parthasarathy at Aranmula, by leveling the land and destroying the sacred groves are undoubtedly behind this move of trying to sabotage the annual boat race,” said sources.

“The boat race scheduled to be held on the day of Uthrittathi is considered to be one of the mightiest and most popular events in the history of the nation. It must be remembered that the annual boat race is not a mere event aimed at amusement. It is part of the age old cultural tradition which forms the pivot of the annual festivities of Lord Parthasarathy temple. Any malicious move in disrupting it only serves to wound deeply the sentiments of an entire community.”

The general council of Palliyoda Seva Sangham had decided to censure MLA Sivadasan Nair, RS Dy Speaker PJ Kurien and MP Anto Antony for the stand they had taken regarding the proposed international airport at Aranmula. In a recent move, a protest was registered against Sivadasan Nair MLA, who barged into the inaugural function of the temple festivities, uninvited. Retaliating against the protest by Paithrikagrama Karma Samiti members, members of the Youth Congress unleashed violence in the peaceful hamlet of Aranmula, causing much destruction.