Elavoor Thookkam 2004

 

by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

7.	GOVT. REMINDED OF LOKASANGRAHA RESPONSIBILITY   q Administrative and religious anarchy q    Lokasangraha, a dictate for Govt. too q    Temple should not host anything controversial q    Collector urged to redress anarchy or take over Temple

 

q     Administrative and religious anarchy

We had our part and way.   On 21st even though the Press Club hall was not readily available, the Club Secretary gave the Hall considering the emergent nature of the case, and I addressed the Press.

My remarks that some people from other religion were also a party to the temple wall demolition generated heated criticism, insinuation and what not at what I said and thought. I stated firmly that people from other religion led the 15^th April demolition and destruction in the Temple, and one of them was seen using a cell phone to misguide the police who were on their way to the temple.

The seeming political strength, which immobilized the Police, to give free licence to raze the Sanctity Wall and Trees to the ground came to focus.  Should political influence assail Temple affairs and their welfare?  At this rate where would our Administration and the fate of the country be driven to?  Can anarchy endure in Temple thus?

 

q     Lokasangraha, a dictate for Govt. too

For the Hindu Society the trust on the Govt. was quite singular, vital.  In stark contrast to other assiduously controlled religious denominations, we Hindus only have the guiding spirit of Dharmic Thinkers and Acharyas like Sannyasins.  These noble spirits seek not to control but to ensure that all, especially religious, actions  are governed by Dharmic thoughts and values, which gain their sanctity and strength only from their inherent, everlasting truth  and merit. 

To bring about changes in social practices, which need to keep pace with the changing times, we look to the Government and its legislations. Sati Abolition, Hindu Succession, Abolition of Child Marriage, Currency of Widow Marriage, Prohibition of Animal slaughter and maiming in Hindu Temples, Legalization of Abortion, etc. are but a few such examples.   If this trust, we repose in our Government, were to be breached or allowed to grow weak, the consequences would be far-reaching, even unbearable.  To the loyal Hindus, the Govt. should also be fully responsive.  No adulteration or relaxation should there be.  The tone and depth of the words were quite evident.

 

q     Temple should not host anything controversial

“Temple cannot be a ground for controversy. Nothing in the way of ceremony, festival, offering or otherwise should be done there raking up a controversy, no matter what the strife is about.”

Devotees come to the Temple to get rid of their tensions and troubles.  Why add to their torment on any account.  The very concept of the Temple gets defeated, if any act in the Temple itself were to be controversial.

That Press Meet was crucial. What followed was even more so, as came to light later.

Our demand “Ban the Thookkam” was heard well. But the Press was insistent to know of our further move. We confirmed Shayana Vratam.  Akhanda Nama Japa in the Temple from 22nd got the precedence.  23rd Thookkam Day came only next.

In my talks in Moozhikkulam,Vattapparambu and Elavoor I had exhorted the entire Paarakkatavu Panchayat to rise up to the occasion and welcome heartily the devotees from different parts of Kerala and facilitate their Akhanda Nama Japa in all possible ways by joining the congregational austerity, also by playing host to them.  The Austerity was aimed at purifying the Temple atmosphere, thereby to instill the right sense to dawn in all concerned. This call sounded great. The Panchayat residents did wake up to be ready for both, reported the Newspapers.

 

q     Collector urged to redress anarchy or take over Temple

I wrote to the Collector perhaps the last letter before the event.  I addressed the Chief Secretary, Trivandrum, also.  Meanwhile, another was e-mailed to the Chief Minister.  I spoke to his Private Secretary about the crucial nature of the developments and the need to preserve the image of the Government especially when the elections were round the corner. The collector was urged to remove the Advisory Committee and its President, under suspension, to install the new nominee of the Uranma Devasvam Board. Or the alternative was to take over the Temple.

 

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