Apr 1986

How the age-old notoriety came to public light

Magic and wonder Media can work

What Media can do to breathe value or halt evil in the society? The answer lies in what followed when Elavoor Thookkam, the notorious, bloody, criminal hanging ritual, in vogue from times immemorial, was suddenly highlighted by a Kerala Daily in 1986!

The pen or picture of Mass Media can work wonders. A common gloom can as well lead to widespread splendour. Minds steeped in stupor may wake up to powerful thoughts, and widespread value-crisis gets redressed only when the Media swing their pen into action. News alone will not fill their mission. Compelling lessons on eternal values and inspiration, when conveyed vigorously, will alone build society’s real character and democratic strength.

Jan 1987

Press draws Swamiji's attention to Thookkam

Swami Bhoomananda Tirthaji Maharaj, a well-known Dharmic Crusader against evil Temple practices was activated in the matter by the Media who brought it to his notice.  There reigned expectation and insistence in their voice for an active response from a Spiritual Leader of his stature.
 

Mar 1987

Swamiji reacts

Swamiji reacted, avowing to stop it forthwith. Geeta dictum, said Swamiji, clearly disallows any kind of cruelty or infliction in devotion.

Apr 1987

Elavoor Thookkam unleashed boiling controversy

Given Swamiji’s stature and his spiritual leadership, the news meant an untold deal, bringing panic to Thookkam proponents. RSS and VHP, for reasons unknown, took sides with Thookkam proponents.  Elavoor Thookkam shot up suddenly as a heated controversy. News and newsmen inflamed it – Swamijis of HNP declaring to disallow the ritual and Proponents under acclaimed Hindu leaders shouting to hold it at any cost.

Tradition versus super Tradition. Religionists versus spiritualists, especially Sanyasins. Had the nation seen a revolution of this kind?

Apr 15 1987

Media’s first front-page caption

Media vied to cover the news.  “Thookkam Controversy reaches bursting point”, Malayalam Manorama flashed in its front page headlines.

Apr 18 1987

Subsequent front-page counter-headlines

Mathrubhoomi leaped further:  “Thookkam Controversy catches fire” it highlighted in more pronounced front-page headlines.  Chief Minister of Kerala, EK Nayanar, mocked the newsmen’s role in giving prominence to such news!  Papers defended on the grounds that they have to build the right public opinion.

Apr 21 1987

Purificatory Yatra from famous Kalaty Crocodile Ghat (Poorna River)

Pestering Press

Sensational reporting  




Yatra obstructed long way off Elavoor  






Authorities questioned as to why they obstruct lawful moves

Swamijis announced Shuddheekarana Yatra from Kalaty in a bid to enlighten villagers on the barbaric criminal act, which had no religious sanctity or sanction. They moved to Elavoor to address a public meeting.

Press surrounded Swamiji parading him with questions, especially “why he did not protest in time?   As the vow for Thookkam was already on,  making it a fait accompli!”

Weeklies, fortnightlies, dailies carried the news in front-page headlines.  Sanyasins opposing religion, on grounds of religion itself, and others defending the crime with their unjust addictions, resenting enlightened leadership.

The Yatra under the scrutiny of Police and Intelligence moved on with intermittent public speeches.  But only to be obstructed by the Administration, its capped lawmen under Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police lining up on the bank of a canal, 1 Km away from Elavoor.  On the other bank were positioned the Thookkam proponents to make their resistance sensational.

“Why obstruct us, disallow the constitutional right to profess and pursue religious faith and understanding.  We act lawfully.  The right to speech cannot be denied in democracy? Why should we not be let in further?”  Authorities became tongue-tied, but pleaded “Swamiji, we cannot let you go further”, District Authority, pleaded to Swamiji to speak to the people from there itself.  “This is what you want.  It will serve the purpose of public meeting”, she added.  Swamiji spoke.  In the end the Police arrested Swamijis with all the men and women of the Yatra and their Vehicle moved to Angamaly Police Station.

Apr 22 1987

Controversy builds up public opinion

It inflamed the news and the impending events. The Thookkam ritual date was close by.  The whole of Kerala was gripped by the subject and the morale it evoked.  Sleeping and indifferent minds had to shake off their slumber.  Controversy has magic in it.  Media holds supreme power to unleash it.  Shayana Vratam by Swamijis got stunning prominence.  Untenable religious vow intercepted by tenable spiritual counter!

Apr 24 1987

Shayana vratam (lying down before scaffold) to counter Thookkam vratam

Administration’s fearful and queer behaviour

If in the Temple one vratam is allowed, abetted, why not the other too?  Swamiji wrote to the Ernakulam Collector and the Media flashed his offence, defence, prominently.

Authorities were puzzled.  It was leftist Govt.  With their hidden motives, a large police force took position to stop Swamijis and followers safely at a distance.

District Collector pleaded to Swamiji not to proceed further, as they would not be able to manage law and order beyond that point. “To allow illegal worship and criminality and stop legal movement and civilized worship” was sheer mockery of justice and equity, argued Swamiji.  Onlookers visibly sensed the contradiction plaguing the Administration. In place of “fearless and favourless Administration” avowed by the Constitution, here now was flagrant partiality and weakness in the Lawmen.  What a bane for religion, for Govt.!

Apr 25 1987

Startling front page picture of Thookkam bleeding victim 

The anarchy and the Administration measures hit front-page headlines.  Manorama put up a five-column photo of the Thookkam victim, bleeding under metal hooks.  Similar illustrations adorned other Papers, shocking men and women throughout the land of Parashurama.

Weeks thereafter

Thookkam stopped. Poomootal (floral covering of the Idol) instituted in 1987 itself

1987 event, contended as ‘fait accompli’ on grounds of ‘religious vow’ could not linger obviously. In principle, it stood deserted, even by the hanged professionals.  Poomotal, the astrological substitute was found and it was adopted by the public meeting held in Elavoor. Kummanam Rajasekharan and Madhavji, VHP leaders took the lead for this, as they did for holding Thookkam that year.

Mar 10 2004

Clandestine move to restart the religious affront after 16 years

16 years have passed.  Temple committee, for no valid reasons, is out to recommence the bloody Ritual, including cutting hen’s legs to bleed. But this time against enlightened opposition from Elavoorians themselves. The opponents approached Swamiji in the matter. 

Mar 11 2004

First response sent to District collector and rural SP

Swamiji writes first to Ernakulam District Collector Gyanesh Kumar and Superintendent of Police (Rural) about the matter urging withdrawal or stern steps from Administration not to restart the crime again.

Mar 12 2004

Trichur press conference

HNP Sanyasins as well as others held the first press conference in Trichur on 12^th March, urging the proponents to withdraw their revival move.  But to no effect.

Mar 14 2004

Thookkam vow inaugurated

On 14^th March the one to be hanged for the ritual was administered the oath for Thookkam by Temple Committee – another step in their clandestine ladder to make the event a fait accompli, as in 1987. But this time the protest news as well as appeal for abandoning the recommencement move were made before this vow was taken.

Mar 15 2004

Press seeks details of Protest Vratam by Sanyasins

It was reiterated to the Press that Sanyasins with hundreds of devotees will observe Kshetra Pavitrataa Shayana Vratam – lying before the Thookkam scaffold in the Temple.

23^rd April is the date set for Thookkam Ritual.

Mar 16 2004

Paura (Nagarik) Dharma Samity holds Press Conference in Cochin

Elavoor Paura Dharma Samity, opposing Thookkam Revival steps, intensifies its stand to the Press. Memorandum signed by hundred of Elavoorians submitted to Collector.  Goes to the Press to make its stand clear to the public, unlike the Temple Committee’s clandestine moves.

Mar 27 2004

Oorayama Devaswam Board (under whom is the Temple) disallows any change in Temple practice  

Media’s  features exposing Thookkam barbarism and criminality as well  the formidable protest 

“Has Intelligence failed as in Kargil!”

Letter to Collector faxed again as desired by him

Oorayama Devaswam Board, Kochi, under whose authority comes the Temple, decided in their Executive Council meeting against Thookkam revival as well as demolition of the Temple Compound wall.  Status quo should not be tampered with, they said.

India Today, Kerala, with a 3-page article  and Kalakaumudi with another 3-page presentation, both indicating the impossibility of holding the bloody, barbarous, criminal event.

Sri Gyanesh Kumar, Ernakulam Collector, contacted by Swamiji on 27^th March, 2004 over phone, said he was unaware of the situation.  Despite Swamiji’s letter to him and the Superintendent of Police (Rural) Alwaye, to ensure status quo and uphold Administrative Integrity.

Collector said he did not have the letter and asked its copy to be faxed to him, which was done on the same day, 27^th March itself.  

Mar 28 2004

DG of Police and DG Intelligence telegraphed to redress local Police apathy and take stern action  

Swami Bhoomananda Tirthaji, now in New Delhi for yearly programmes, sent telegrams to Director General of Police and Director General of Intelligence urging them to ensure that no transgression by the Temple Committee is allowed.

In between

As a prelude, Temple Committee attempted to cut trees from Temple lawn, to facilitate viewing the bloody Thookkam by a larger frenzied crowd.  Next step was to demolish the Temple Compound Wall.

Mar 28 2004

Out to demolish Temple compound wall too

Temple Committee tried 4 times to demolish the Temple Compound Wall to give ample space for onlookers to view the bloody event.  Paura Dharma Samity resisted.  On 28^th, their 4th attempt at night was stopped when Police was called by Paura Dharma Samity.  Police patrolled throughout night.

Mar 30 2004

Chief Minister contacted in New Delhi 

Swamiji hands in a letter to Sri AK Antony, Kerala CM in New Delhi presenting the volatile state of affairs, urging him to preserve the status quo and give protection to the lawful moves of the Thookkam opponents.  No untoward incident should be allowed.

Apr 1 2004

Mathrubhoomi New Delhi bureau interviews Swamiji at Centre for Inner Resources Development, Vasundhara,  New Delhi, highlighting the evil and the severe spirituo-dharmic Protest

Writ petition was sought for conducting Elavoor Thookkam by the Temple Upadeshaka Samity. Counter affidavit was filed by Kerala Uranma Devasvam Board opposing original petition. Court after hearing arguments said that the writ petition will not lie before the High Court. The matter is a civil dispute. The petitioner withdrew the writ petition on hearing the observation of the Honourable Court.

Swamijis arrested and released

A group of Sannyasins lead by the Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha and Swami Purushottamanda Tirtha, was arrested at the gate of the Elavoor Putthankavu Bhgavathi Temple. They were prevented and obstructed from entering the temple for evening worship by the local temple committee.

A strong contingent of police, camping in the area, seized the scaffold and other items meant for the cruel ritual.