Controversy in Kerala: Hamas Leaders' Photos Displayed at Cultural Festival

A cultural festival in Kerala's Palakkad became controversial after photos of Hamas leaders were displayed on elephants. Local BJP leader K Surendran accused the state government of pandering to radical elements for electoral gains. He criticized the CPI(M) for supporting such activities in Kerala.

Photos of Hamas leaders prominently displayed atop elephants during a cultural festival in Kerala's Palakkad district have sparked significant controversy. The event, known locally as 'Thrithala,' is a traditional festival organized annually by the residents of the Thrithala panchayat in Palakkad, Kerala. Organizers claimed that participating groups were responsible for the images, while the festival's closing ceremony on Sunday drew numerous attendees.

State BJP President K Surendran raised serious concerns about the incident. He alleged that anti-national organizations and radical elements are operating in Kerala with the support of the incumbent CPI(M) government, driven by a desire for vote bank politics. Surendran emphasized that the BJP remains the only party actively opposing such forces in the state.

In prior statements, Surendran criticized the lack of action by the LDF government when a similar incident occurred during a rally in Kerala that featured a Hamas leader. He highlighted the presence of Communist and Congress leaders at the festival, questioning the message being sent and urging Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take action or resign.