Ban on display of religious motifs on special services being operated by the Karala state Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to pilgrim centres has sparked strong protest from the Hindu organisations in Kerala, alleging it is targetted against the Sabarimala pilgrimage. What has angered the Hindu
outfits including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is a specific direction in the circular that words like "Swami Saranam" and "Amme Narayana" should not be displayed on buses bound for pilgrim centres including the famed Sabarimala hillshrine.
The order, circulated to all units of KSRTC across the state, has asked the unit heads to stop the practice of displaying "religious verses,emblems or flags" on the the special services being operated to pilgrim centres.