The Hindu : Karnataka News : Notification on Krishna Math stayed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 30, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Notification on Krishna Math stayed

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, OCT. 29. The controversy over the Krishna Temple in Udupi took a new turn on Friday with the Karnataka High Court staying the April 30, 2003 notification of the State Government declaring the Krishna Math as Krishna Temple.

The notification was issued by the then S.M. Krishna Government declaring the centuries-old math as a temple by invoking the provisions of the Karnataka Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act.

The Ashta Maths that manage the temple had challenged several provisions of the Act, including Section 23.

In their petition, Visvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Vishvathma Tirtha Swamji of Sode Vadiraja Math, Vidya Sagara Tirtha of Krishnapura Math, Sugenandra Tirtha of Puttige Math, Lakshmivara Tirtha of Shirrror Math, and Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swamiji of Kaniyoor Math said that the Krishna Temple was constructed by Madhwacharya, propounder of the Dwaita philosophy.

Maths' contention

They said Madhwacharya had set up the Ashta Maths to manage the temple by turns. The Krishna Math was always a math and the Ashta Maths its adjuncts.

Moreover, the notification was issued without giving them any notice.

The petitioners urged the court to stay the notification as it violated fundamental rights.

Justice K.L. Manjunath stayed the notification and ordered issue of notice to the respondents.

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