Government’s plans of constructing a museum to display temple treasures against secular values of nation: Kummanam.

The proposal of Kerala government towards setting up a museum to showcase the treasures at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, if the Supreme Court permits, has been flayed by Hindu Aikya Vedi. In a statement, AikyaVedi State General Secretary Kummanam Rajashekharan said that the move being highly deplorable, goes against the secular fabric of the nation and decries religious freedom.

Condemning the announcement made by Devaswom Minister in the state Assembly on Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple henceforth being administered the way Sree GUruvayurappan Temple is being administered., Kummanam Rajashekharan said that rules and regulations being followed by the administrative board of Guruvayur are pre-deluvian and outdated. This comes in response to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s announcement that the treasure found I Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple “could not be found anywhere in the world” and that “the government would do everything possible to make use of the treasure.”

“The government’s proposal to take over temples and divesting their administration to politicians is exemplar in showing how the Sree Guruvayurappan Temple is slowly being destroyed. They have lowered the sacred space by making it a party office of the Congress. What more, haven’t they stooped so low, as to pour out abusive in front of the deity himself, even bickering among themselves and resorting to physical stunts? Even the government is conveniently silent over the issue of devotees being cruelly beaten up, because Congressmen themselves had a hand in the same,” said Kummanam Rajashekharan adding that Congress ministers seem to have chalked out a similar plan for Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple as well, by taking over the reins of administration.

It is not the government that should construct a museum in the temple. The temple administration should do it. Temple administration should be handed over to an independent body, where devotes to play a significant role. It is definitely not with any good intent that the government plans takeover of temple administrations alone, in a secular nation like ours. Hindus should have the same rights to religious freedom in temples as Christians and Muslims have in their places of worship,” said Kummanam Rajashekharan in his statement, adding that Kerala must request the Supreme Court to create an administrative trust for Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple where members of the trust will consist of those from the royal family and representatives from devotees themselves.

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