RSS Chief to Visit State for Second Time in a Fortnight

For the first time in the history of the over-century-old Ayroor Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Parishad, an RSS chief will address the gathering that brings together Hindus from diverse backgrounds to deliberate critical issues facing the community.

- MANOJ VISWANATHAN @Kochi

RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat will speak at the 3:30 pm session on Wednesday. His second visit to the state within a month has triggered curiosity in political circles. Bhagwat was in Kerala two weeks ago to attend organisational meetings.

The biggest Hindu spiritual conference in the state, the Hindumatha Parishad, conceptualised by Chattambi Swamikal in 1913, is held on the banks of the Pampa River every year in the month of February.

As the Hindumatha Mahamandalam, which organises the week-long congregation, has no political affiliation, its leadership is particular about inviting leaders of all political organisations to the event. Although the majority of its members have links to the Sangh parivar, RSS leaders were not given much prominence in the past as leaders of both the LDF and the UDF were reluctant to share the stage with them. However, organisers