Elavoor Thookkam 2004

 

by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

2.	THOOKKAM SUBSTITUTED IN 1987   q      Plight of Hindu Society q Not Protest but Public Awakening q    Arrest unsettled Govt., weakened Thookkam fanatics q    Thookkam abandoned, Poomootal in vogue

 

q     Plight of Hindu Society

What kind of religious and democratic anarchy was this, we wondered.  Religion does not sanction preventing any one from entering the Temple for worship. Democracy warrants freedom of thought, speech and propagation of these. Was not Thookkam votaries’ stance an open negation of both? 

How could this plight be condoned by Dharmic thinkers?  In our country suffering from so many lacks and wrongs, we at least have one saving Grace – lavish freedom to stand in front of the Deities in Temple, chant, sing and recite to the heart’s content prayers and Names.  In fact, one goes to the Temple to do all these.  To deny this freedom, in the name of some madness or craze triggered by a religious custom that involves criminal misconduct, barbarism and anti-cultural notes was an inexcusable sacrilege.

Could anything worse befall Hindu Dharma and Hindu Society?  The wound was too deep and the call to heal it quite strong!  Here aviveka was posing to overpower viveka, leading the society to utter ruin.  Dharmic thinkers cannot allow this, come what may.  The same duel, as in an individual mind, raged here in the society too.  The evil, its harm, should be somehow squarely met.

 

q     Not Protest but Public Awakening

We declared our continued protest, intending to awaken both Elavoorians and the Government.  The Thookkam was on 24th April. Nearly 200 in number, we proceeded to Elavoor. On reaching Ankamaly Vatsalakumari, RDO, & the SP  PJ Matthew pleaded that we should withdraw.  They suggested that we “would be given a good opportunity to address the crowd.  Let the Thookkam take place”!

Could any Dharmic Endeavour condescend to such expediency?  We sped on to Elavoor.  This time a little further away, under the District Magistrate V. Rajagopalan, a strong Police contingent had taken position to stop us. Rajagopalan requested us not to proceed further.  It was not safe “to allow you to go further.”  It looked quite funny.  “What is the wrong in our performing Shayana Vratam?  It is non-violent, involving no wrangle with anybody, the intention is to somehow make the voice of viveka heard by the Thookkam mongers. Please allow us to proceed”, I insisted, but to no avail. 

We prostrated right on the road, as last resort, keeping in mind Putthankavu Devi.  Police lifted us up and arrested us. 

 

q     Arrest unsettled Govt., weakened Thookkam fanatics

That the unlawful Thookkam episode could not be enacted without arresting us at such a distance from the scene spoke volumes of defeat for both Thookkam defenders and the Government. If it was a genuine devotional offering, it would be soaked in its own pious sublimity and surrender. Every one around would also feel so moved in full concurrence. But here the situation was far too different, making it patently un-devotional, criminal to the core and barbaric, inflicting the others variously!

Can a divine abode be a venue for such a woeful transgression?  What of those who organize such criminal sport or indulgence?  What of the authorities, Civil and Criminal, who rushed to the scene in hundreds to pave the ground for its commission?  And what to speak of the pitiable plight of Police, having had to arrest lawful spiritual personages and devotees for no crime of theirs?

One vratam was permitted, the other denied without any defence!  To permit blind lawless fanaticism, barbarism, unscriptural and impious transgression, they denied a just, adorable, non-violent austerity!

Did not the instance, whatever be its provocation, downgrade the country, its Administration, the Police Force and the rest? The law enforcement machinery and call of propriety to be ineffective in preventing the transgression; a Divine Abode resorting to undivine and cruel practices! The great Hindu Society, the elected Government sworn in to govern without fear or favour, the impeccable Hindu Dharma, were all put to heinous shame and mockery!

 

q     Thookkam abandoned, Poomootal in vogue

VHP and allied Hindu protagonists had led the pro-Thookkam wave against our stand.  They had to enact some drama to anoint themselves with the laurels they looked for.  Kummanam Rajasekharan, who is beloved to me, and late Madhavji took steps to see that the blood-spilling barbaric offering was stopped  for ever.  Astrological session approving the alternative of Poomootal (floral covering of the Deity) was ratified by a Public Meeting, the largest Elavoor had witnessed.  Poommootal came into vogue ever since.  As on today, devotees have already booked this holy offering till the year 2017. Thus ended the 1987 crusade, memorably, completely. The lokasangrahic move happily concluded.  Its sublime effects reigned for one and half decades.

 

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