The Sree Thirumandhamkunnu Bhagavathi Temple in Angadipuram, Malappuram, Kerala, was recently forced to repaint parts of its premises from green to yellow after a Hindutva outfit raised objections, reported the Newsminute.
The Sangh Parivar-affiliated Hindu Aikya Vedi claimed the green colour, commonly seen across Kerala’s lush landscapes, represents Islam. They alleged that the CPI(M)-led Malabar Devaswom Board (MDB), which manages the temple, had painted the office and offering counter green to appease Muslims — a claim refuted by the temple administration.
The controversy erupted on 19 March when Hindu Aikya Vedi president Sasikala KP shared photos of the green-painted complex on Facebook, labeling it as an insult to Hindu sentiments. She warned that if the walls weren’t repainted, she would lead a group of believers to do it herself. By Monday, the MDB conceded to the pressure, repainting the walls with a yellow hue resembling sandalwood paste.
Sasikala also objected to the composition of the temple’s Pooram festival committee, which included Muslim public representatives such as MP Abdul Samad Samadani, district panchayat president MK Rafeeka, and MLA Manjalamkuzhi Ali. She questioned the presence of non-Hindus in organizing a Hindu religious festival and demanded an all-Hindu committee, sparking further communal tensions.
Right-wing media outlets Janmabhoomi and Janam TV amplified the issue, accusing Marxist administrators of deliberately choosing green to hurt Hindu sentiments. BJP district leaders echoed these claims, asserting that anti-Hindu forces were trying to infiltrate temple affairs.
However, Kerala’s Temple Affairs Minister K Radhakrishnan dismissed the allegations and stressed the government’s commitment to preserving communal harmony. “Green is a colour of nature and peace. Associating it with anti-Hindu motives is unfortunate,” he said.
Thirumandhamkunnu Temple, known for its history of inclusivity, saw Muslims come forward to help during a devastating fire years ago. IUML’s late president, Syed Muhammedali Shihab Thangal, had also led the renovation drive then. The temple’s long-standing tradition of harmony has now come under strain due to communal provocations.
This incident is not isolated. In 2021, the same temple faced backlash from the Sangh Parivar for cutting a birthday cake — an act they labeled as “un-Hindu.” Moreover, the right-wing has consistently targeted the green flag of the IUML and even objected to the use of green boards in schools, terming them as “Muslim appeasement,” despite educational experts backing the choice for psychological benefits.
Malappuram, a Muslim-majority district, continues to stand as a bastion of communal coexistence in Kerala, resisting divisive narratives.
