Mon Feb 17 16:00:46 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Festival Sparks Outrage Over Display of Hamas Leaders’ Images
**Palakkad, Kerala:** The annual Thrithala Fest in Palakkad district, Kerala, has ignited a firestorm of controversy after images of Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar were displayed during a procession on Sunday. The images, carried atop elephants by a group of youths, were met with sharp criticism on social media, sparking a heated debate about the event’s nature and the organizers’ actions.
The display has drawn condemnation from the BJP, who have demanded police action against the organizers, accusing both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress of appeasement politics. BJP state president K Surendran called the incident “shocking” and linked it to a previous event where a Hamas leader virtually addressed a gathering in Kerala.
Congress leader and former MLA VT Balram, who attended the festival, defended the event, stating that the Thrithala Fest is a secular annual public celebration, not a religious festival, and that its organizing committee represents various religious and political backgrounds. He criticized what he described as attempts to use the controversy to target the Muslim community and Kerala, emphasizing that support for Palestinian independence does not equate to glorifying Hamas leaders.
A member of the organizing committee, speaking anonymously, alleged that a section of young people deliberately attempted to create a communal issue. The police have confirmed the incident occurred within their jurisdiction but stated that no complaints have been filed, and therefore, no case has been registered. The participation of Minister MB Rajesh and Congress leader Balram in the festival has further fueled the debate. The controversy continues to unfold, highlighting the deeply divisive nature of the issue.
First Piper 