Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader P. Jayarajan has alleged that Sree Krishna Jayanti processions in Keralam are part of an “RSS political project” aimed at expanding its influence among families in the State.

Mr. Jayarajan said processions marking ‘Chathaya Dinam’, the birth anniversary of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, were the only such processions seen on the streets of Keralam earlier.

He alleged that Sree Krishna Jayanti celebrations were subsequently introduced as part of the RSS’ efforts to build a political base among families. He was speaking in a recent podcast series of the CPI(M)’s Kannur district committee.

“Faith in Lord Krishna has existed in Keralam for a long time, but people belonging to the lower castes were not allowed entry into Sree Krishna temples. This continued until the Temple Entry Proclamation,” Mr. Jayarajan said, adding that even members of the Nair community faced restrictions on temple entry, as pointed out by social reformer Mannath Padmanabhan.

It was in this context that Sree Krishna Jayanti processions should be viewed as an RSS political project, he claimed.