Kerala: Collector, who barred RSS chief from hoisting tricolour, transferred

Palakkad: District Collector of Palakkad P Marykutty, who had issued restraining orders to prevent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat from hoisting the national flag at a government school in Palakkad on Independence Day, was transferred on Thursday.

The Kerala Government, however, said that it's a "routine transfer" since four other District Collectors have also been transferred with Marykutty in a reshuffle announced on Thursday.

According to reports, Marykutty has now been appointed as panchayat director, and will be replaced by market fed managing director Suresh Babu. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

On August 15, Bhagwat was stopped from hoisting the national flag in the Karnakkiyamman School in Palakkad.

The District Collector issued a memo to the school in this regard, categorically stating that it was inappropriate for a political leader to hoist the national flag in an aided school. He added that only a teacher or elected representative of the people was allowed to do so.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenged the Collector's decision; standing affirmative that Bhagwat would hoist the flag.