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Move to take over temples in Malabar to be resisted, says Kummanam

Staff Reporter

Alleges that takeover is with an eye on the wealth of temples

KASARAGOD: The Hindu Aikya Vedi would strongly resist the move being initiated by State Government to take over 23 temples in Malabar region, Hindu Aikya Vedi state general secretary Kummanam Rajasekharan has said.

Delivering the key-note address at a function organised at Mallikarjuna temple here on Wednesday by the vedi in connection with the flagging off of `Kshetra Raksha Ratha Yatra,' Mr. Rajasekharan said the State Government had already served notice to 23 temples in Malabar sounding the warning bell of takeover. "But notwithstanding the protection accorded by the State police, the authorities were unable to fix notices on temple premises following unprecedented resistance from devotees," Mr. Rajasekharan said.

He alleged that the reformatory zeal being shown by Devaswom Minister G. Sudhakaran in temple issues was with an eye on the wealth of temples. The State Government wanted to take over the immense wealth of temples in the form of its gold and generous donations being given by devotees," he said.

The Kerala State Electricity Board was levying special tariff for the power supplied to Sabrimala temple, Mr. Rajasekharan said.

Power tariff

The tariff rate of Rs. 16 a unit for Sabarimala temple was clearly discriminatory, he said. Similarly, the health, sanitation and water authorities were collecting several lakhs of rupees from Sabarimala temple for providing services, he said.

"Will the LDF Government dare to levy huge charges on churches and mosques for the services provided during festivals there?" Mr. Rajasekharan asked. He said that no secular government had right to control temples or takeover its wealth.

Earlier, chief of Pejawar Mutt, Udupi, Swami Visveswara Tirtha launched the Rath Yatra by lighting a lamp. In his benediction address the swami said Hindus needed to be vigilant against efforts of the State Government to takeover temples.

"While the government does not want to control places of worship of other communities, they are eager to takeover Hindu temples," the swami said.

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