If you ever cared to read the Preamble published at the beginning of your NCERT textbooks, you would know that the Constitution of India espouses equality of status and opportunity. This means the State cannot treat the various classes of citizens differently.
However, the ruling CPI (M) in Kerala seems to have one set of rules for Hindu temples, which it seems to describe as public property, and another set of rules for churches and mosques, which it seems to describe as private property.
The curious case of Mattannur Mahadeva Temple in Kannur
The Malabar Devaswom Board, a part of Kerala’s state government, has taken over the Mattannur Mahadeva Temple in Kannur notwithstanding stiff opposition from the locals.
Earlier, the Kerala High Court had asked the Malabar Devaswom Board chairman to mediate the matter and arrive at a decision. After the temple trust couldn’t prove its ownership, orders were issued for the government to take over the temple.
K Surendran, State President of Kerala BJP tweeted, “The Pinarayi Vijayan government has captured the renowned Mattannur Mahadeva Temple using the Kerala Police. A secular govt has nothing to do with temple administration. The godless party, CPI(M) Kerala, and the CM are trying to destroy the temples in Kerala. Highly condemnable.”
The @vijayanpinarayi government has captured the renowned Mattannur Mahadeva Temple using the @TheKeralaPolice. A secular govt has nothing to do with temple administration. The godless party @CPIMKerala and the CM are trying to destroy the temples in Kerala. Highly condemnable. pic.twitter.com/eUV6dtxzqF
— K Surendran(മോദിയുടെ കുടുംബം) (@surendranbjp) October 14, 2021
The officials of the Malabar Devaswom Board reportedly entered the premises of Mattannur Mahadeva temple in Kerala’s Kannur on Wednesday. They also took over the temple under police protection.
Devotees upset with the move
The Malabar Devaswom Board officials were stopped by protesters. In fact, they had to break open the lock to enter the temple premises. A few protesting devotees were so upset that they attempted self-immolation. However, the police forcibly removed them from the premises.
As per Times Now, the local Hindus have accused the government of eyeing privately managed temples due to their large earnings. They said, “The last monarchy in Kerala used to protect these temples until the British took them, and after independence, they were never returned to the worshippers.”
Temples public, mosques and churches private
When the local devotees are so upset with the move, why should the state government insist on taking over the temple? Malabar Devaswom Board President MR Murali, a former municipality chairperson and CPI(M) district committee member seems to offer a strange explanation.
Murali said that the Mattannur Mahadeva temple is not a private temple and that it belongs to the government. Fair enough. But why are only temples being taken over? As per Times Now, Murali said that mosques and churches are private, not public properties. The Malabar Devaswom Board chairperson argued that the temple belongs to the government as kings built it.
The government ought to act reasonably and treat all religious places of worship equally. At the end of the day, everyone has an equal right to worship and freedom of religion. There is no good explanation behind a policy to treat temples as public properties while other religious places of worship are described as private properties.
If it is a public property can it be leased or developed or rented by business houses like the airport, railway stations. This can be done to lessen the burden on govt.
Temples were built by monarques/ Rajas with the contribution of the Hindus only.
The Muslims and the Brush were invaders looted us with their mite. But the temple properties are created by Hindus only . Unfortunately the contry was ruled by Congress, a Hindu opponent party, ruled for long. Communists are not having any faith on God. During congress rule Hindus under went lot of damage, including the Gandhian thought caused lot of harm to Hindus, natural inhabitants of Hindusthan.
All foreign rule in India, dristroied our cherished culture and achievements, took its feathers and put in their crown head.
There is dire need to bring legislation to treat all religious groups and their places of worship equally. Central government should intiate for legislation to protect the interests of the Hindus and their places of worship remove the interference of secular governments.
U can search serious court decisions in various contest which say that temples are not religious places but public place like park s. Where any shorts of restriction on entry dress or accessibility can not be imposes.
In recent elections, Hindus of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu people had an opportunity to elect right people but they chose to elect anti-Hindu govt so they are to be blamed.
Totally agree. Hindus are digging their own grave.
Why blame CPM? Why Mallus repeatedly elect this government ? Are they the most educated stupids of the country ?
Yes. Stupid mallus & tamilnadu ppl. Electing that anti Hindu govt to rule..their first choice is language.
Fully agree that the Hindus r voting for either congress or com in Kerala.
So what are the Hindu organizations doing ? The RSS , VHP, Bajrang Dal, Siva Sena, etc – what are they doing ? What about the caste organizations, particularly the NSS and SNDP doing ? As a popular saying goes ” Hindus are COWARDS “. All bark and no bite . The present BJP leadership is the worst. Look at the CPM govt.’s response to the SC and HC decisions on the Church issue. Contrast it with the Sabarimala , Parthasarathi Temple ( Guruvayur )take over a few years back and now the Mahadeva temple. Ordinary Hindus have to suffer in silence, but then as I always say, there are no Hindus in Kerala , only followers of three Abrahamic religions, Islam , Christianity , and Marxism, and a few castes, mainly Ezhavas, Nairs and OBCs. Why would the so called low castes fight for the temples when they are generally excluded from important roles in the temple? Under the govt. they have more opportunities and security. The leaders of the dominant castes are the most egotistic and selfish; they only care for themselves and their communities. They don’t read and understand history, they would rather be slaves under the Abrahamics than be truly democratic and true followers of Hinduism .
Totally agree with what you said. Now Shiva Sena has officially converted into secularism so don’t count them except if the issue related to secularism they will be ready and happy to voice but no mood for Hindu problems, and after winning second time BJP along with their friend RSS has took the Gandhian philosophy and will look other way. Now what left is very few financially weak and poor organizations like VHP, Bajrang Dal whom needs huge support of all Hindus but majority of Hindus are like “oh let’s not get into the fight and I don’t care as long as the problem don’t reach my door” kind of mentality and tell me who’s willing to work on the ground except for making lot of useless noise on the internet and social media? What right now needed is ground workers and not online noise.
While everyone is busy in protecting their own religion, Hindus are busy following secularism.
Hindus don’t want to wake up until the fire reaches their home but by then it will be too late because there’s no one left to save.
Shame on all Hindus who voted for such idiots chi chi chi
Atrocious act by the CPM government.
Already communists congress antigindu groups celebrated beast feast in public by butchering holy cows in public view then started ityappan issue gold scam cirona related thousands of deaths floods, lovelane mafia jihad Kerala already gone into devil’s own country state turned into like Syria
Later they tried to touch gold of trivendra anantapadmanavhaseami temple gold struck in head by supreme Court , plunged into goldscam !
Now this anarchy of taking over hindu temple God, whoever it may be for hindus Christians or Muslims never bother when they are abused, but they won’t tolerate divotees feelings worship affected, God would destroy the entire race, corona is also an incarnation Kerala may face many waves of corona soon
Hindus will become extinct in a few decades,,
Thanks to their pseudo secularism and liberal mindset,, & of course they’re cowards !!
Can the Hindu community and organisation request a good lawyer like Harish Salve to fight this case against the state govt. Or else all temple estates in kerala will be taken over by the state and monetized. Can not the center do something about this. This is anarchy by the state.
other than issuing statements what has the local / national BJP done ?? If you feel it is a mistake go to court or take to the streets to get your rights. Twitter / Instagram / whatsapp are not going to do any good to your cause. Issuing statments condemning the govt is only an eyewash for the public.