Secularism Kerala Style: Prophet’s Birthday Celebrations at Hindu Temple

Paloor Subramanya Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Muruga/Subramanya in the Malappuram District of Kerala. A couple of days ago, celebrations for the prophet’s birthday were held inside the temple. Initially, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read about it, until I saw this video.

But yes, it happened! What you see in this video is a traditional Kerala Islamic art form called “Duffmuttu.” Duffmuttu songs are typically a tribute to Islamic heroes and martyrs. The performers and the onlookers can all be seen wearing footwear inside the temple.

A section of the Kerala media is celebrating this as another display of communal harmony and secularism in Kerala. However, as always, this secularism seems to be a one-way street where Hindus are expected to be so secular that even our sacred, consecrated spaces are opened up for celebrations and festivals of other faiths. Will we ever see a similar celebration of Sri Krishna Jayanthi or Ganesh Chaturthi in a mosque? I think we all know the answer.

Let’s not forget that the man whose birthday was celebrated in this temple is the same person who openly denounced every other “god.” His words are often quoted by Islamists around the world to justify the annihilation of other religions, including Hinduism.

Lastly, I wonder if the WAQF board could now stake a claim to the temple and the surrounding land, and attempt a takeover, given that they have used the premises to practice their faith.

Will we ever learn anything from our past?