Christian song row: Temple committee backs bhajan band

Kottayam: The rendering of a Christian song by popular bhajan band Nandagovindam Bhajans during a temple festival in the district has evoked mixed response on social media. After some of the reactions crossed the limits, the temple committee stepped in support of the band, saying that the team has done nothing wrong. The committee also urged those debating on social media platforms not to ruin the secular atmosphere in the locality. The band performed to a packed audience during the festival of Vembinkulangara Sree Maha Vishnu temple on April 14. The locality where the temple is located is considered the home turf of the band, as some of its members belong to this place. It was at this temple the band started its journey.During the concert, the band spoke about the close relations between the temple and the nearby church. The church prepared its ground to facilitate the parking of vehicles of the audience who arrived for the concert. The Christian devotional song was also well appreciated by the audience.However, the event triggered a divided response on social media. Some lauded the act, saying that it presented the secular model to the country and also it showed how different Kerala is from the rest of the country. However, another section, mostly Hindu organisation leaders, slammed the act. One of them even said chicken masala is good, but don't drop it in payasam. Meanwhile, the band came up with a statement saying that the event was part of a temple reconstruction initiative, supported by many people in different ways. "During the event, with the permission of the organizers and the audience, we sang one song as a gesture of gratitude to those who have supported the initiative. Our intention was never to hurt or disrespect anyone's beliefs or sentiments," the band said in its statement.Meanwhile, the temple committee also came with a statement that the concert was done by the band for free as it was a fund-raising programme for the reconstruction of the temple. It also said that the programme was not held within the temple compound wall. The statement also said that the locality is known for its secular values and people of different religions live in cooperation there. It also said that they do not see the Christian devotional song sung as something wrong. It said the people in the village are having a cordial relationship and urged people not to ruin this friendly atmosphere by creating unnecessary controversies.