Kerala: controversy over Christian hymn at Hindu temple, local committee defends coexistence
In Kottayam district, a Christian hymn performed during a festival sparked controversy from groups close to the Hindu right. The temple committee, however, defended the choice, emphasising the shared nature of the event and the collaborative relationships between the Hindu and Christian communities in the village.
Kottayam (AsiaNews) – The temple renovation committee of a Hindu temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala has been criticised for allowing the performance of Christian devotional songs during a festival held within its premises.
The committee defended the performance and stressed the unity of the local community, urging that interfaith harmony in the village not be compromised.
The incident occurred at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Vembinkulangara, Kottayam district, where a devotional singing group (bhajan) performed before approximately 5,000 people, singing, among others, a Christian hymn in Malayalam called Ee Paradevanaho, often sung during Lent and on Good Friday, which explores the theme of believers as pilgrims on earth.
Before the performance, members of the group mentioned the connection between the temple and a nearby church. In particular, they emphasised that during the Deshavilakku festival, it is traditional to light lamps at the church, which in turn has made space available for vehicle parking during the Hindu celebration.
Hindu right-wing groups, including the Hindu Aikya Vedi, were quick to criticise the event, voicing strong opposition. The group's leader, K P Sasikala slammed the initiative, saying that a temple is not a secular institution.
“Chicken masala is good, but don't add it to payasam," he said, using a reference to a typical Kerala dessert, and to the fact that, according to groups close to the Hindu right, some dishes metaphorically belong to incompatible culinary universes.
In its response to clarify the situation, the temple committee said that the event was organised with the collaboration of all members of the local community and that passes were distributed to families of all religions to attend the event.
The temple’s convenor posted the official position on the temple's Facebook page, highlighting shared experience and urging people not to undermine coexistence.
“All people in this locality, regardless of religion, came together to organize this program,” the committee statement reads.
“[B]oth Hindus and Christians equally supported and attended the programme. [. . .] People of all religions participate every event organized in this temple.”
“During the Desavilakku, Christians also light lamps along with us. When the Thalappoli procession passes, they light lamps on the roadside every year. That is the tradition and unity of this place. When such a programme took place, teachers, friends, classmates, and families who knew Naveen were all present”.
“From our perspective, we saw nothing wrong in singing such a song. We do not consider it a serious offense. People in this village live in great harmony. We only request that no one should create controversy and destroy the existing unity.”
The bhajan group also explained their intentions, saying that it was a gesture of gratitude and not disrespect. “We didn't cross a line. We just didn't see one. This is our land where bhakti (devotion) flows beyond names”.
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07/02/2019 17:28
05/02/2025 17:24
