Kerala floods
Indian residents look at the Shiva Temple submerged after the release of water from Idamalayar dam following heavy rains in Kochi on August 9, 2018. - At least 20 people were killed on August 9 in landslides triggered by heavy rains in southern India, an official said, pushing the nationwide monsoon death toll for this year to over 700.AFP/Getty Images

Every time there is a natural disaster, one can be rest assured that unnatural responses from some people will surely pour in. This time, it's the Kerala floods that has left God's own country paralysed. The hate factory has taken over and replaced empathy.

Even as the rest of India is leaving no stones unturned to come to the assistance of the flood-ravaged state, there are those who have sought to find the cause and have stated that the Gods are displeased.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue S Gurumuruthy, who was recently appointed to the board of the Reserve Bank of India as a part-time non-official director by the Centre, has tweeted, "Supreme court judges may like to see if there is any connection between the case and what is happening in Sabarimala. Even if there is one in a million chance of a link people would not like the case decided against Ayyappan."

Gurumurthy urged the Supreme Court to weigh its decision on allowing women into the temple against the devastating Kerala floods. Gurumurthy was responding to a tweet by a Twitter user, which said, "No law is above God... If you permit everyone, he denies everyone". Gurumurthy has often been accused of peddling fake news and promoting parody websites as real.

The Sabarimala case is about allowing entry of women aged 10-50 in the temple which was restricted due to multiple reasons -- one of them linked to the belief that menstruation is considered 'impure'. This sent twitter users into a frenzy with many responding with criticism, especially in light of Gurumurthy's appointment to the RBI board.

However, Gurumurthy seemed unapologetic and stood his ground. "What I said is this: If there is even one in a million chance of a link between the case and the rains, people -- repeat people -- would not like the case decided against Ayappan. It is about people's belief. For the info of all I am not an Ayyappa devotee, going to Sabarimala," he tweeted.

As ridiculous as this contention sounds, one can only hope that people act more humane and help Kerala in this hour of need like crores of other people across the country are trying to do and not indulge in hatred and bigotry.