Social Media Schools India Today Group On Kerala Diwali Theory, Video Deleted
People from Kerala recently took their social media handles to teach and explain India’s leading media conglomerate – the India Today Group, on why and how Kerala celebrates Diwali. It was the aftermath of a programme by Aaj Tak, a media subsidiary of the India Today group based in New Delhi. According to an Aaj Tak video show, the South Indian state of Kerala has “less Hindus” in number comparing to other parts of the nation and that’s why the state “don’t celebrate Diwali”.
Shortly after the program reached audience, a massive opposition broke out, as the Aaj Tak’s claim is to defame a state and is part of a propaganda. The company deleted the video without putting any explanation or apology.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or Divali, is a Hindu festival of lights. It is one of the most popular holidays in India, and is celebrated across faiths over five days. The festival upholds the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
“ “Why isn”t Diwali celebrated in Kerala?”
Aaj Tak: “Because the Hindu population is less in Kerala.”
And the fake news propaganda campaign against Kerala continues”, wrote a user on X (formerly Twitter).
Aaj Tak is an Indian leading Hindi-language news channel owned by TV Today Network, part of the New Delhi–based media conglomerate Living Media group, where India Today and Good News Today are its sister channels.
A user named Advaid took to his X handle and provided detailed counter-explanations to the Aaj Tak claim on Friday. According to the user, it was an attempt to defame Kerala and he also condemned the media houses unwillingness to produce an apology. “Aaj Tak”s claim that Diwali or Deepavali is not celebrated in Kerala is a LIE”, he said on X.
15 hours have passed & there is still no apology from the India Today group. In an attempt to defame a state, they aired a show on how Kerala has less Hindus and we don’t celebrate Diwali.
And Aaj Tak”s claim that Diwali or Deepavali is not celebrated in Kerala is a LIE. #Thread pic.twitter.com/aWqsYOc6WN
— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) November 10, 2023
The user added that, Kerala celebrates Diwali, not as a major festival, but rather a minor one. It is celebrated mostly in three districts of Kerala – Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, and Kasargod – which has strong Tamil and Tulu language influences. According to him, in other districts, the same festival is celebrated as Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. The state has one more depiction to Diwali, as it is also the day on which the benevolent Asura King Mahabali was sent to Pataala (Underworld) by Vamana.
He also added that, “Malayalis celebrate Deepavali just for one day, unlike the rest of India. And firecrackers during Vishu are much bigger in Kerala than firecrackers during Deepavali. Vishu and Onam along with Christmas and Eid are the major festivals of Kerala”. As he said, the “obsession of Godi Media with Kerala not celebrating certain festivals is indicative of a deep-seated bias and bigotry”.
