Kerala RSS mouthpiece Kesari has come down heavily on dangerous fireworks and parading of elephants in temples.
An editorial published on Saturday with the headline “Should not consider insanity as traditional practice,” says practices which are not suitable to time should be avoided.
The article says that fireworks were started in temples like Sabarimala just to keep away wild animals.
“Fireworks can only harm the concentration on prayers through sound pollution. Those who call fireworks, which even destroy temples, an art should be insane,” says the article.
It continues, “No temple books have mentioned about the firework practice. Hindus are not yet ready to follow Sree Narayana Guru and Mannath Padmanabhan who were against fireworks.”
The Kesari editorial also criticised the torture of elephants in temple festivals. “We should know that elephants never get adapted, they are wild animals. Torturing elephants amidst this fireworks and hot sun should stop,” it says.
However, BJP leaders have earlier said that fireworks need to be controlled but not stopped.