Be united and nobody will dare to touch you – Swamy to Hindus in Kerala

VHP protests CPM’s stranglehold on temples
By S Chandrasekhar – Organiser

TEMPLES have always been a milking cow for politicians in Kerala, especially CPM. Unlike in most states, Kerala temples are governed by State government through Devaswom Board (Temple Boards). Thousands of temples of Kerala including multi-crore earning Guruvayur, Sabarimala, etc. are under the control of Travancore, Cochin, Malabar and Guruvayur Devaswom Boards. Members of these boards are political appointees elected technically by Hindu MLA’s of Kerala Assembly. But CPM MLAs who flaunt their non-belief have no shame in electing these board members, who invariably are diehard commies. The preliminary aim of these boards is to appoint CPM men, plundering of temple wealth and filling personal and CPM coffers.

Sabarimala temple which almost contributes Rs.25,000 crore (5 crore pilgrims x Rs.5,000) to Kerala’s economy pays crores of rupees to police, electricity board, etc. for security, power, etc. whereas these are provided free to churches and mosques.

Now to add insult to injury the CPM regime has tabled in Kerala Assembly an amendment to the Devaswom (Temple) Bill. Under this, the number of members of each board is to be increased to seven from three. Also this Bill brings the Devaswom Boards under the direct control of government and gives it powers to appoint enquiry commissions to probe allegations of irregularities.

The VHP and the Hindu organisations like the NSS have strongly protested against the amendment and asked for its withdrawal. Anticipating flow of Hindu votes into its kitty, due to CPM honeymoon with Madhani, the Congress has termed the Bill an infringement of the fundamental rights of Hindu believers.

On March 22, the day the Bill was introduced in Assembly, VHP marched to the Assembly and burnt copies of the Bill. Addressing the protesters the VHP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan said the CPM move is to destroy Hinduism and temples.

He said, “The present three members consist of one woman, one SC/ST and one Hindu. By making it seven, CPM is torpedoing 33 per cent reservation for woman, SC/ST and plotting to park CPM men to plunder temple wealth. This jumbo board will loot and destroy temples. The CPM regime which is on takingover spree of Hindu temples doesn’t lift a little finger against mushrooming five stars churches and mosques. The VHP is not against temple reform, but it should be done, based on consultations and on goodwill.”

The VHP launched a massive protests throughout the State against the dangerous CPM move to destroy temple culture. A Hindu leaders meet was held in Thiruvananthapuram on March 27, to chalk out future strategies.

Addressing the meet, Dr. Subramaniam Swamy said the Devaswom Bill was violative of Article 25 of the Constitution which gives freedom to profess religion. He said, “The practise of only Hindu MLAs of Kerala, participating in the election of Temple Board members is absurd and legally inadmissible in a secular society. Moreover, participation of Communist MLAs, who are diehard atheists in the election is comic. This bill will be quashed by courts, even if passed by Assembly.”

He further said, “As per Article 31(a) of the Constitution, Government cannot takeover any religious institution for more than 3 years. It has to be given back to original owners or a committee of devotees! My case against takeover of temples is coming up for final verdict in Supreme Court in May. I am confident of a favourable verdict. It will a huge victory for Hindus of Bharat, as lakhs of temples all over India taken over by the government, since 1947., will have to be given back to Hindus.”

“Like in Ram Sethu issue, courts want to know the overall public mood. Strong protests have to be launched throughout Kerala. It is time for Hindus of Kerala who are hardly 52 per cent to be assertive and strong. A thousand goats, together, can take care of a single tiger. Be united and nobody will dare to touch you,” he concluded.

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