Unfurling tricolor: Action recommended against RSS chief, school authorities

Palakkad: The Palakkad district authorities have recommended action against RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and the officials of a school for defying the government order that prevented Bhagwat from hoisting the national flag at the institute on Independence Day.

Defying the government, Bhagwat Tuesday unfurled the national flag at Karnakayamman High School in Palakkad in alleged violation of an official order.

Palakkad District Collector P Marykutty had issued an order late Monday night stating that since the Karnakayamman High School was government-aided, only elected representatives or school authorities could hoist the flag, as per protocol.

Marykutty said she has submitted a report to the Chief Minister and Education department and the decision on whether a case would be registered against the RSS chief will be taken by it.

She had earlier said she will instruct the police to register a case against Bhagwat.

The Collector has also recommended suspension of the school Head Master who defied the government order.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) defended its chief’s action in a statement which said that after due consultations, "the school authorities decided that they would proceed as planned and that Bhagwat must exercise his constitutional rights".

"We condemn such brazen attempts by the CPI-M led government of Kerala to deny the citizens their basic right of celebrating Independence Day and their continuous attempts to poison the state of Kerala with divisive politics," RSSs Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya said.

Senior CPI-M leader Brinda Karat, however, criticised Bhagwat for violating the rules of the Kerala government.

Bhagwat was in the state to attend a two-day meeting of the Sangh which began here yesterday. The state has witnessed political violence involving activists from the ruling CPI(M) and the RSS-BJP combine, which has left several people dead.

Addressing the students, Bhagwat said, "It is our duty to remember the sacrifices and hard efforts of those who laid down their lives during the struggle for independence. We have to bring that dedication to our lives". Independence, he said, was "sacred", and added "we have to protect it".

(With PTI inputs)