Devotees will resist Govt move: Kummanam

PATHANAMTHITTA: Hindu Aikyavedi General Secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan has said that devotees will resist the move by the LDF Government to convert the temples under the Devaswom Board into party offices.

The suspension of the Sabarimala devaswom executive officer within 24 hours after passing the Devaswom Bill and the demolition of the Kalanjur Sree Mahadeva temple devaswom office were clear signals of the intention of the LDF Government, Kummanam Rajasekharan said in a statement here on Saturday.

The suspension of the devaswom official at Sabarimala was not on charges of corruption or racket, but for giving accommodation to his political enemy.

The new Bill stipulates that the temple accounts and reports should be submitted to the government, appointment powers to the PSC and the oath-taking ceremony of the devaswom office-bearers should be before the government secretary, Kummanam said.

The Bill was passed in the Assembly in haste without any debate and even without the presence of the Opposition members, he said.

The Devaswom Minister had not yet visited the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple after taking charge. Without visiting the hill shrine, it is impossible to assess the sufferings being faced by the crores of Sabarimala pilgrims, he said.

Widespread agitation planned: The Hindu Aikyavedi will soon launch a massive agitation for the liberation of temples from the control of the government.

As part of the agitation, temple-level convention of devotees will be organised soon, Kummanam said.