By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
Kozhikode: Three BJP activists were arrested on Tuesday for attacking an artist who participated in Onam celebrations on September 14.
Nadapuram police has taken case against Aneesh, Pranav and Nandu, all of them local BJP activists, for assaulting Vattakkandiyil Sajesh, a local Theyyam artist, who dressed as Onappottan. Onapottan is a popular folk character that visits the households during Onam season in North Kerala. It is performed by Theyyam artists belonging to the lower castes. Malaya families, which are considered lower castes, dress as Onapottan.
In an attempt to Hinduise Onam, the Sangh fold had carried campaigns across the state saying Onam was Vamana Jayanti. Onam is celebrated by people from all religions and castes to honour King Mahabali, who according to legend ruled the state once, under whom the people were equal, prosperous and happy. According to legends, it was on Onam days in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam when Lord Mahavishnu took his fifth avatar as Vamana, appeared in the kingdom of King Mahabali and sent him to the netherworld by placing his foots on the king’s head. But, this year BJP observed Vamana Jayanti for the first time and BJP national president Amit Shah wished Keralites Vamana jayanti.
To add to this, BJP and RSS activists had organised campaigns against Onappottan, the integral part of Onam celebrations in Malabar citing Onappottan was nothing to do with celebrations.