The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) issued a circular to all temples under them to not allow mass drills and other activities organised by the RSS on temple premises.
The circular, issued on 18 May says that this should be strictly followed otherwise action will be taken against those who do not follow it. TDB manages about 1,200 temples in southern India.
TDB has not taken this decision for the first time to stop arms training within the temple premises. A similar kind of decision was taken in 2016 when the board banned all kinds of arms training inside the temple complex given by the RSS.
However, the Travancore Devaswom Board once again issued an order on 30 March 2021 and mentioned that the temple complex can’t be used for other purposes except temple rituals and festivals.
The latest circular by the TDB warned that strict action would be taken against those who failed to follow the ban order.