Thiruvananthapuram : Strong criticism has arisen in Kerala in response to Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar's statement that animal sacrifices and 'Satru Samhara Yaga' were conducted in Kerala with the intention of targeting him. This has brought attention to several temples in northern Kerala where animal sacrifices were once common.
It is worth noting that many BJP leaders are devoted followers of some of these temples, where chicken is offered as 'prasada'. Shivakumar alleged on Thursday that his political rivals were organizing 'Shatru Bhairavi Yaga', which involved animal sacrifices for purposes of black magic. The focus of Shivakumar's comment was on the famous Rajarajeswara temple in Taliparamba, Kannur, and the nearby Madayi Kavu temple, where cooked chicken is even served as prasada.
Several BJP leaders, including former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, are known to be patrons of this temple. Yediyurappa had contributed to the temple by funding a dining hall in 2009. Following Shivakumar's remarks, the Kerala police's special branch reportedly investigated the matter and provided a report to the state police chief, confirming that no animal sacrifices had taken place near the Rajarajeshwara temple.