There was a famous slogan used by communists, Temple is just a building with four walls, idol is just a stone”. Almost all temples in Kerala would have heard this in 1980s. That was communist parties then. But now they are there in almost all temple authorities, whether it is government authorized or private. And they are enjoying all the facilities & properties available in the temple premises.
Acquiring temples by Devaswam board is common in Kerala, especially Malabar Devaswam board. They target all temples which have high revenue, which are not under any specific organization or Mutts. Police had to fight with devotees in almost all temples they acquired. Guruvayur Parthasarathi Temple is the recent target.
In 2010, Left employee organization filed a case in Hight court & deputy commissioner of Devaswam board for their salary hike. They also asked board to acquire temple. But court rejected this plea and asked Board to support temple administrative to implement good regulations. Case is still under court for the consent of temple acquire. Govt acted before court finalizing the verdict.
In 1972, the main portion of Parthasarathy temple got destroyed in a heavy rain. Devotees collected money from them and reconstructed that on 1981. They were struggling to get fund for reconstruction. They even requested to public through Ceylon Radio for the support of renovating the temple. Temple was registered under societies act in 1973.
Yesterday, a squad of 300 police reached temple in the early morning 2:30, broke temple door lock and entered inside. Protest of devotees are going on outside temple against the move of govt. But officers acquired temple when there are no devotees present in the temple. Still Police is not allowing devotees to enter the temple. Devotees started protesting for the right to enter the temple. Situation near the temple is still panic.
Entire Hindu society are disappointed on this move of govt. Society started asking why only to Hindu temples? Social media compared Chief Minister Pinarayi as Tipu Sultan. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act of 1951 allows State Governments and politicians to take over Hindu Temples and maintain complete control over them and their properties. It is claimed that they can sell the temple assets and properties and use the money in any way they choose.
It’s really a move to insult Hindu society & its against violation of law & order of the state said BJP state President Kummanam Rajasekharan. Govt has no right to interfere in the believes of the society. Like other religions temple also should be under the control of devotees, not by govt, He said.
