CPI(M) students` wing SFI insults national anthem, flag in Kerala college magazine – Explosive details

Kannur: In what could ignite a major row, an annual magazine published by a pro-Communist Party of India (Marxist) students' union of a government college at Thalassery in Kerala has insulted national flag and anthem.

The magazine, titled 'Pellet', allegedly also contains objectionable contents with sexual overtones.

The magazine was published by the Government Brennan College union, which is headed by the Students' Federation of India (SFI).

One of the hand-drawn images in the magazine shows a couple in a compromising position when the national anthem is being played. The drawing of the national flag is also seen in the background.

The magazine was brought out by the SFI activists as part of the 125 year celebrations of Brennen College, the alma mater of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students' wing of the BJP, was quick to demand action against those responsible for the publication of the magazine.

However, when contacted, college principal Murlidas told PTI that there was nothing wrong with the magazine, adding that certain drawings in it could cause a misunderstanding, "if viewed from a narrow-minded perspective".

"There is nothing wrong with the magazine. If viewed from a narrow-minded perspective, it could cause a misunderstanding. We are trying to convince the students about it," he said.

Meanwhile, the SFI maintained that it was not their aim to show disrespect to the national anthem or the national flag, adding that they only wanted to point out the "extreme nationalism" of the Sangh Parivar which "forced" the people to stand up when the national anthem was played in cinema halls.

However, the staff council of the college, which met here, decided to remove two pages from the magazine which contained the controversial matter.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga raked up the issue on microblogging website Twitter today.

Govt Brennen college of Kerala Magazine published by SFI insults National Anthem,urges 2 have sex while National Anthem is played in theater pic.twitter.com/L7ZWurB1Jl

— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) June 14, 2017

. @CMOKerala will you take action and arrest this goons ? https://t.co/oXL3hCC55i

— Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) June 14, 2017

BJP general secretary K Surendran told reporters that not only the Left students' outfit, but the college staff council as well as the principal were responsible for the incident.

Reportedly, there are more inappropriate images in the magazine.

The Supreme Court has directed that cinema halls across the country must play the national anthem before the screening of a film and people should stand up as a mark of respect.

The court has also directed that the national flag should be shown on screen when the anthem is played.

The controversy comes on the heels of SFI workers setting the chair of the principal of Maharajas College in Kochi ablaze and preparing a symbolic graveyard as a farewell gift for the Victoria College principal at Palakkad, who retired last year.

(With Agency inputs)