Eminent playback singer K.S. Chithra has come under massive cyber attack over her remarks on the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Chithra, in a video message on Sunday, urged people to chant Lord Ram hymns when the event takes place on January 22 and, in the evening, light lamps in and around their homes.
"My salutations to all. When the consecration ceremony is held in Ayodhya on January 22, everybody should chant the Ram mantra ‘Sri Rama, Jayarama, Jaya Jaya Rama’ at 12.20 pm. Likewise in the evening, five-wick lamps should be lit in all parts of the house. Praying that God's blessings may be showered upon everyone. Loka samastha sukhino bhavanthu,” she said in the video.
Chithra’s message, however, didn’t augur well with a section of netizens in Kerala, who accused the singer of aligning herself with the agenda of the BJP and the RSS.
Union Minister V. Muraleedharan slammed the Kerala government and the ruling CPI(M) over their silence on the social media attack against the singer.
“Extremist elements are gaining a free hand under Pinarayi Vijayan's rule. Strongly condemn the way K.S. Chithra Ji is being attacked and bullied by Jihadi - trolls for appealing to light a Dia on Pran Pratishtha day of Ram Lalla,” he wrote on X.
"Kerala CPI(M)'s silence speaks volumes about the way such divisive elements receive patronage under their regime in Kerala. Is it the 'tolerance' that the CPI(M) boasts about? Shame!," the minister said in another post.
BJP leader and National Women’s Commission member Khushbu Sundar also came up to defend Chithra, saying intolerance is at its peak in the states ruled by the Congress and the Communists.
“They cannot respect one’s beliefs and have the courage to learn the grace of acceptance. It’s either my way or no way to them. Shame on them. I completely stand in solidarity with Chithra Chechi,” the actor-politician wrote on X.
Chithra’s remarks came days after she received specially consecrated ‘akshatham’ from the Ayodhya temple.
The 60-year-old singer, popularly known as the ‘Nightingale of the South’, has recorded over 25,000 songs in various languages in a career spanning over four decades. She is a recipient of six national film awards and 36 state film awards from six states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the January 22 consecration ceremony of the Ram temple.
The temple trust has also invited 4,000 seers from across the country and 50 guests from foreign countries.