On Thursday, an FIR was registered against some BJP workers for unfurling banners, carrying the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Vande Mataram’, atop the Municipal corporation building in Palakkad.
The incident came to the limelight on Wednesday evening after BJP won the local body polls, securing 28 seats out of 52 in the Palakkad Municipality, Kerala. The party workers were seen unfurling two banners, one carrying the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with the slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in Malayalam and the other carrying the image of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah with the slogan of ‘Vande Mataram’.
At the same time, other BJP workers gathered outside the Municipality complex and celebrated the party’s victory in saffron robes and slogans of ‘Jai BJP.’ A complaint was filed with the Palakkad Town South police by the Secretary of the Municipality, Balaram, alleging an attempt to ‘destroy communal harmony.’ Similar such complaints were filed by the Congress party and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader T K Noushad.
While speaking about the incident, SP (Palakkad) S Sujithdas informed that a case was registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 153A (promoting communal disharmony) and that special branch deputy superintendent Krishnan has been asked to file a report.
CPI(M) leader T K Noushad said that the banners were illegal and that they unfurled by the BJP workers, in cooperation with the RSS. But BJP President E Krishnadas had dismissed all such claims. He said that the party leadership was unaware of the actions of the workers. On learning about the incident, the BJP had directed to remove the banners.
