Sources have stated that Keralites have geared up to celebrate Onam, RSS has triggered a controversy by questioning the legend behind the festival, arguing that it marks the celebration of birth of ‘Vamana’ (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and not the homecoming of demon king Mahabali.
It was stated that an article was published in the Onam special edition of RSS mouthpiece ‘Kesari’ has claimed there was no reference in any mythological scriptures which supports the popular and widely circulated legend that ‘Vamana’ had sent Mahabali to the netherworld through deceit.
Meanwhile the senior CPI(M) leader and state Health Minister K K Shylaja has said Onam was celebrated by all irrespective of caste, creed and religion and the attempt of the RSS was to bring back the bygone “upper class hegemony“ and it was also a part of RSS’s agenda to “hijack the festival.
According to mythology, Onam is connected with ‘Asura’ (demon) king Mahabali, under whose reign everyone lived in happiness and equality and the demon king’s annual visit is celebrated by Keralites, who lay by their front yards with floral carpets, wear new clothes and prepare a sumptuous feast.
