Elavoor Thookkam 2004

 

by Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha

9.	THOOKKAM BANNED   q Thookkam Ban – Operation Elavoor q     Where to move on 22nd April q     Thookkam fanatics, challenge Law and Authority

 

q     Thookkam Ban – Operation Elavoor

The last conciliatory effort with the Thookkam defenders had to be wound up at about 8 p.m. on 21st.  They left the Collectorate showing fists of challenge to the Collector.  Collector was convinced about their intransigence and more so of the aggressive and even lawless ways of the Thookkam defenders. Meanwhile Shiv Sena wanted to make hay while the Thookkam discussion sun shone. Its chief in Kerala, had telephoned to Purushothama Swamiji to say that he and his group were not supporting Thookkam.

We had a call from the Collector’s office, which did not mean anything significant.  Our programme of Nama Japa was therefore to be on.

 

q     Where to move on 22nd April

We were wondering when and how we would reach Elavoor and what should Paura Dharma Samiti do in the matter.  News came from Elavoor that the Temple Welfare Samity had, in a public meeting, resolved to stop Sannyasins directly at the very boundary of Elavoor.  Vasudevan of PDS who conveyed this news appeared shaken.  I consoled them that this only proved how unsafe they felt in our arrival there!  Are they the Authorities to stop us?  The PDS group, who had not been exposed to such confrontation involving high levels of resistance and administrative moves, naturally got a little upset.

We had not intended first to go there on 22nd. Akhanda Nama Japa was a plan announced by Hindu Aikya Vedi. Our idea was to support them with fervent devotees from different parts of Kerala and beyond.  If necessary we would also reach there. That would mean to be with the devotees in the Temple till the fated hour of 3.30 p.m. on 23rd for lying before the Thookkam Scaffold. 

We were getting ready.  Purushothama Swamiji felt quite concerned as to in what strength we should move and when.  I had a program in Keezhthali, near Deshamangalam, arranged long before Elavoor Thookkam came up.  “We cannot face our people, if you do not come” said Veerachandran, the Pratishtha Committee Chairman.  “The whole function has been arranged in the present style in your name – the strength, inspiration and fervour it has breathed to our people.  Please come and return after lighting a lamp.  But come you should”.  I told them “coming there is more in my heart than in yours.  I shall and I want to.  But how is the question.  Leave the subject. May be we would not have to go to Elavoor.”  Ultimately the time was advanced from 10 a.m. by 2 hours. 

Considering all this, we were planning to reach Elavoor by afternoon, to stay, if need be, indefinitely.

I somehow felt that the Govt. had no way but to act firmly, if its governance assured stability and trust. 

Early morning the telephone rang.  Vasudevan from Elavoor said “Collector has initiated some action, we hear, no details. Do you have any news?”  “No, but why worry?  We have done all that is necessary.   Morning will reveal.  Be patient.  Let the Govt. do what they should.”

In hardly an hour, “Elavoor Thookkam banned by Ernakulam District Magistrate, the Collector” was the news of the day in audio-visual media. Gyanesh Kumar signed the order at 1 a.m. on 22nd April 2004.  Only a few Newspapers alert to follow the Collectorate last minute moves could access it, others missed it deplorably, bringing to light how some Media Agency could be so non-alert and indifferent to such a spectacular development.

Later facts revealed that with the timely help rendered by Paura Dharma Samiti, the District Authorities could reach to the Temple, locate the Thookkam Scaffold and decide upon the move to prevent Thookkam effectively.  This meant taking the Scaffold into custody at the nick of time together with the men to operate it. In fact,  ‘Operation Elavoor’ was launched at 21st-22nd night.  Before the Sun broke out on 22nd the men and machinery had been taken into custody.  Scaffold was removed to an unknown destination. So much so, there was none from the Temple Thookkam Committee left there to report the outcome to the people outside!

Our part was over now.  The rest was between the Authorities and the Thookkam conductors.  Every step the Proponents further took was adding fuel to the fire.  It enhanced their crime, misrule and misconduct.  They thought by all this, their Devi was served and pleased.  But the reverse was the naked fact.

 

q     Thookkam fanatics, challenge Law and Authority

22nd morning onwards panic ruled the Thookkam team.  The villagers and whoever came by and posed as their leaders ran helter-skelter. Going to the Press, appearing on telecasts, they made claims of recapturing the Scaffold, failing which they would hold the Thookkam in an improvised bamboo structure. 

 

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