In the latest of its continuous bid to destroy Hindu traditions and customs, Kerala state police force under the direct control of the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not allow Hindu devotees yesterday to offer prayers for the departed at Shanghumugham beach, Thiruvananthapuram.

New moon day of the Malayalam month of Karkkadakam is widely observed as Vavu Bali when millions of Hindus offer prayers for the departed souls with special rituals usually near water bodies like rivers or sea. Shanghumugham beach has been a favourite location since generations where thousands throng to offer sacred oblation due to its proximity to the sea shore.

An official order came from the district administration banning Bali at Shanghumugham beach a week ago giving no valid reasons for the ban, was followed by strong protests from the various Hindu organisations and the public alike. The decision was challenged in the High Court where the government and district administration faced severe criticism from the honourable court for the ban.

Devotees who hailed the court intervention assuming the ban would have been lifted, arrived at Shanghumugham beach today morning only to be stopped by the police. Though the devotees were outraged by the police action they could only protest in front of the large contingent of police force present.

The communist government under Pinarayi Vijayan is found to have been continuously maligning Hindu customs on every possible occasion. As the state’s greatest Hindu festival Onam approaches next month, the Hindu community is quite apprehensive in what ways the festivities are going to be dampened.