Close on the heels of RSS in Kerala terming Onam celebrations as 'Vamana Jyanthi' contrary to the legend that it is the homecoming of demon king Mahabali, BJP National President Amit Shah todaygreeted the people of the country on the occasion of 'Vamana Jyanthi'.
In his Facebook post, Shah said, "Best wishes to all countrymen on the occasion of Vamana Jyanthi."
However, the BJP chief's post did not mention Onam.
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An article published in the Onam special edition of RSS mouthpiece 'Kesari' had questioned the traditional legends of the festival, saying it is the celebration of birth of Vamana, incarnation of Lord Vishnu and not the homecoming of demon king Mahabali.
It had argued that there was no reference in any mythological scriptures supporting the popular and widely circulated legend that 'Vamana' had sent Mahabali to the netherworld through deceit and that the king visits the land annually to meet his subjects, as widely believed.
The article written by K Unnikrishnan Namboothiri in the RSS magazine argued that Onam was originally celebrated as the birthday of Vamana and not a festivity to mark the homecoming of the demon king.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his Onam greetings, said Onam was an occasion for all people cutting across castes and religions unite together in mind.
"Onam is the celebration of secularism," he said, adding, "let Onam bring peace and prosperity to all".
Greeting people, Governor Justice (retd) P Sathasviam said, "Let our celebration of Onam be a message of equality, true love and oneness that Kerala conveys to the world.
"I sincerely wish that this Onam season bestows every home with colourfulfloral carpets, the melody of Onam songs and the joyful reunion of family members over the sparkling Onakkodi and the delicious Onam sadya", he said in his message.
Other political leaders, including opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, CPI-M veteran and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan also wished the people on the occasion of Onam that falls tomorrow.
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