“Mahabali lived and ruled in the Narmada area”: Union Minister’s Onam statement draws ire in Kerala

“Mahabali is known to be a benevolent king and Vamanan is considered as a villain”, Mr. Muraleedharan added.

Union Minister V. Muraleedharan's statement questioning Mahabali's association with Onam celebrations in Kerala has kicked up a row with the CPI(M) leader and Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas alleging that the remark was not an innocent one and was aimed at creating division in society.

A week after Keralites celebrated Onam with fervour, Muraleedharan claimed that there was no known history of Mahabali ruling Kerala and termed it as a myth.

At an Onam celebration that took place recently at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Muraleedharan said nobody knows how legendary king Mahabali got linked with the celebrations.

Mr. Muraleedharan, who was seen speaking in a viral video, pointed out that the anchor of that function had mentioned Mahabali as a king who ruled Kerala, and said, "In fact, that is a myth." The Minister also said that Onam has been there in Kerala for the last so many centuries and there are references of celebrations of Onam in Kerala for the last three-four centuries.

"But, how it got linked with Mahabali, nobody is able to find out. Because Mahabali, as per any known history, lived and ruled in the Narmada area. Narmada would be somewhere near Madhya Pradesh," Mr. Muraleedharan said. He added that there is no known history of Mahbali having ruled Kerala.

He said many aspects of the history might have got "distorted" during the four or five centuries of colonial rule.

"Mahabali is known to be a benevolent king and Vamanan is considered as a villain. In fact what Bhagavatam says is Vamanan gave moksha to Mahabali. That's what the original story Bhagavatam says," the Minister said.