Thiruvananthapuram | CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan on Friday criticised the threats and cyberattacks against a music group allegedly by the Sangh Parivar for singing a Christian devotional song at a Hindu temple festival recently.

The group—Nandagovindam Bhajans—recently sang a Christian devotional song during a festival at the Vembinkulangara Sree Mahavishnu temple in Kottayam, Govindan said at a press conference here.

He said the group’s action was in accordance with the secular nature of the state, but alleged that the Sangh Parivar and some Hindu religious extremists had opposed it in an attempt to "disrupt communal harmony" in Kerala.

The CPI(M) state secretary added that even the temple management committee had come out in support of the group’s actions.

Govindan also criticised the recent BJP protests in the state capital against the police and the remarks made against the force by leaders of the party.

He said it was BJP activists who had allegedly attacked the police recently, and later party leaders attempted to create hurdles in the investigation.

The Marxist veteran also criticised the “poda pulle police” (get lost, police) remarks allegedly made by BJP leaders and former DGPs R Sreelekha and T P Senkumar.

He also took a dig at the Congress, saying that disputes within the party over who would become CM if the UDF wins would continue only till May 4, after which the LDF would come to power for a third time in the state.