RSS chief raises flag at Kerala school

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday unfurled the Indian tricolour at a government-aided school here despite being told by authorities that political personalities can't do this. This sparked criticism from the CPI-M and the Congress.

The District Collector and police had told the Karnakeyamen School management near here that since the school was state-supported, only people's representatives or the head of the institution could raise the flag.

The school reportedly belongs to RSS supporters and they had invited Bhagwat to be the chief guest on India's Independence Day.

Palakkad Lok Sabha member and CPI-M leader M.B. Rajesh accused the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) of trying to incite trouble in Kerala.

"This is a brazen violation of the law of the land. This is a school funded and supported by the Kerala government. The rules and regulations have to be followed. Today this did not happen," said Rajesh.

Alappuzha Lok Sabha member and Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party were implementing their hidden agenda.

But Kerala BJP General Secretary M.T. Ramesh told the media that the RSS chief was in Palakkad to attend a few functions. "Anyway, RSS is not a political party and Bhagwat is not a political leader," he said.

V.K. Mani, a school official, said the school authorities had done no wrong.

"The order is very clear on what can be done. We have abided by the rules. Let the government tell us whether we have violated any rule or law," he said.

--IANS

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