Kerala govt: Only department head should hoist flag; BJP, RSS angry

A Kerala government circular detailing procedures of Republic Day celebrations has triggered a huge controversy with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) slamming Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The circular states that only department heads should hoist the national flag in school, educational institutions in the state on the occasion of Republic Day.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to hoist the Tricolour at a school in Palakkad district. However, Vijayan government's order has put his programme in jeopardy.

While the RSS and BJP have accused the Kerala government of targeting Bhagwat by issuing such a circular, the state administration said the guidelines were issued on the basis of existing central rules and regulations.