Kannur (Keralam) | CPI(M) leader P Jayarajan has alleged that Sree Krishna Jayanti processions in Keralam are part of an "RSS political project" aimed at expanding its influence among families in the state.

Jayarajan said processions marking Chathaya Dinam, the birth anniversary of saint-social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, were the only such processions seen on the streets of Keralam earlier.

He alleged that the Sree Krishna Jayanti celebrations were subsequently introduced as part of the RSS's efforts to build a political base among families.

He was speaking in a recent podcast series of the CPI(M)'s district committee here, which was aired by television channels earlier this day.

Faith in Lord Krishna has existed in Keralam for a long time, but people belonging to lower castes were not allowed entry into Sree Krishna temples, he said.

"This continued until the Temple Entry Proclamation," Jayarajan said, adding that even members of the Nair community faced restrictions on temple entry, as pointed out by social reformer Mannath Padmanabhan, among others.

It was in this context that the Sree Krishna Jayanti processions should be viewed as an RSS political project, he claimed.

Some years ago, the CPI(M) had organised celebrations across Keralam on the occasion of Sree Krishna Jayanti, accusing Sangh Parivar organisations of using such occasions to build their political base in the state.

In 2016, Jayarajan, then CPI(M) Kannur district secretary, had said the Left party did not oppose Sree Krishna Jayanti celebrations "but we oppose Sangh Parivar utilising such occasions to take children to the streets with political motives".