Thiruvananthapuram: Popular playback singer KS Chithra found herself amid controversy after sharing a video encouraging people to chant religious hymns and light lamps during the upcoming consecration ceremony at Ayodhya’s Ram temple. The 60-year-old, a recipient of six National Awards for playback singing with over 25,000 recorded songs, faced criticism for allegedly overlooking the historical context of Ayodhya and the destruction of the Babri Masjid. Some users strongly opposed her viewpoint, stating concerns about secularism and political motives, while others defended her right to express religious beliefs.
One user, Ali Said, remarked, “No secular person can accept the construction of the Ram temple in the place of the destroyed Babri Masjid. It was a political vulgarity that sliced the heart of India. There is no place for a God there. There is only a place for the politics of Sangh Parivar. Chitra must understand this.”
Another user named Ajith advised, “You may believe in any religion you like, but choose your words carefully.”
#KSChithra asks people to chant “Rama Rama” & light 5 faced diya on Jan 22nd for Pran-Pratishtha of #AyodhaRamMandir
She has made our lives better with her soulful songs, yet sad hearing that she is subjected to attack for her support to #AyodhaRamMandir #I_Support_KSChitra pic.twitter.com/FJBOmjVXMG
— Arvintha (@ArvinthaB) January 16, 2024
Despite the criticism, Chithra also received support from those who argued for her right to hold personal opinions and express religious beliefs. Fellow singer G Venugopal appealed for understanding, emphasizing Chithra’s musical legacy and her limited engagement in political matters.
“For a person who has never been caught in a controversy, these comments and reactions have caused great sadness. Over the last 44 years, she has only sung songs. She has never engaged in reading, writing, or having political beliefs. In this issue also, what concerns Chithra is this massive temple and her devotion towards it,” wrote Venugopal on Facebook.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly stood in solidarity with Chithra, condemning cyber attacks on her. State BJP chief K Surendran criticized the alleged suppression of Hindu beliefs in Kerala and expressed unwavering support for the singer.
“Appalled by cyber attacks on the esteemed singer KS Chithra ji who appealed to light a lamp on Ayodhya Prana Prathista day, by left-jihadist groups. Under the rule of Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala, things are such that a Hindu can’t freely share her beliefs with fellow followers. It is shameful that Congress remains silent on this act. We BJP Kerala unit stand in unwavering support of KS Chithra,” Surendran wrote on the social media platform ‘X.’
Congress leader VD Satheesan, while acknowledging Chithra’s popularity in Malayalam, supported her right to express personal opinions. He said, “She is a very loved singer in Malayalam. Let her state her own opinions. We may not have to agree with her.”
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