An RSS worker has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a Christmas carol group comprising kids in Kerala's Palakkad district. The accused, Aswin Raj, reportedly scared off the kids after assaulting a couple of them and damaged the drum the group was using.
Aswin Raj, a native of Palakkad's Putussery, was travelling on a motorbike when he noticed the carol group. He questioned why the name 'CPI(M)' was branded on the drums and attacked the children. Complainants alleged that Raj was in the company of others whom they reportedly could not identify.
The incident occurred on Sunday night. The CPI(M) local leadership said that the kids were too young to have any political affiliations and were below 14 years of age. The drums and other musical instruments of the party are lent to them every year during the Christmas season, they told Manorama News TV. "CPI (M) Putussery area band", the writing on the damaged drum read.
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The complainants alleged that the incident happened in the Surabhi Nagar area of Putussery around 9:00 pm on Sunday. The Kasaba Police told the Malayalam news channel that the accused, Aswin Raj, is a history-sheeter and was listed under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 2007 (KAAPA). He has been booked under sections including attempt to murder, the report said. The incident took place in an area where the RSS-BJP enjoys influence, the report added.
The incident comes amidst reports of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) urging Hindus to refrain from celebrating festivals of other religions, including Christmas. Christian missionaries want to exploit the tolerant nature of Hindus to carry out conversions, and the appeal to stop celebrating Christmas was a step to stop this, the right-wing group has said.