Why is it imperative to stop such rituals

 

Devotional pursuit not to cause any harm or evoke resentment

Hindu scriptures hold that devotion is a very sublime pursuit meant to purify, elevate and enlighten the human mind and intelligence.  Nothing in it should at any time estrange the society or transgress the well accepted civic norms, decency, civil and criminal laws of the land.

Bhagavad Geeta – the undisputed gospel of the Hindus – clearly lays down that the devotee should not hurt anybody in the society. 

Not to speak of the supreme stress on ahimsaa – non-violence.

• How can an act that inflicts pain on others be considered an act of devotion?
  

• Should a temple be a torch bearer for civic and cultural values in the society or should it indulge in uncivilized and barbaric practices?

Bleeding Victim, revelling devotees, cash nexus

In Thookkam, a person, lured by monetary reward, is persuaded to hazard the torture of being suspended by two sharp metal hooks piercing his back, making him bleed profusely.  A cluster of frenzied people howling, shouting and crying aloud surround him obviously to submerge  his agony and distress.

• How can a cruel act, such as piercing and hanging, warranting instant police action anywhere else in the land, be honoured as a hallowed tradition practised in the Temple precincts? 
   

• Is not Temple a divinizing abode, meant to transform even a criminal and violent individual? 

Temple precincts are also under the country's criminal laws

Any temple comes under the Constitution as well as our civil and criminal laws.  To allow this kind of barbarous criminal practice will mean reducing the auspicious Temple precincts to a heinous rendezvous, encouraging  violence, stealth and sinful conduct, greatly detrimental to the welfare of one and all.

Our Constitution enjoins fundamental duties, enforcing every citizen to uphold and reinforce the composite heritage of the country. The citizens are also bound to adopt a rational scientific temper in all matters.  The proposed  Thookkam re-commencement will be in open violation of all this. No citizen can assume ignorance or apathy at such an affront.

• How can the temple which should also abide by the law of the land, get away with this act of crime?

Revival will signal similar violations the world over

Some of our Temples still hold on to ignoble, barbarous and indecent practices like lewd singing (as in the case of the  Bharani Festival of Kodungallur Temple in Kerala), torturing rituals, etc.  

• If the evil practice of Thookkam is allowed to be revived at Elavoor Temple, will it not give an open invitation to similar cruelties and misdeeds in other religious institutions elsewhere in the world?

No kingly rule now – revival unthinkable, impermissible

The legend adduced for Thookkam: It is believed that the good old King, in his anxiety to arrest some widespread misfortune in his kingdom, opted to offer Thookkam ('Hanging') for the Goddess. But criminals awarded with capital punishment alone were made its victims.  The scaffold with the victim 'hanging' from it was left shut within the Temple for 7 consecutive days. The belief was to let the hung shed his body in Goddess’s proximity. 

The king also hoped that the event would give the punished scope to repent, transforming the whole episode to one of excruciating austerity.  He could thus derive some satisfaction of having atoned for his wrong. After 7 days, the remnants of the hanging body would be religiously removed and Punyaaha (purificatory ceremony) performed for the temple.

• Even if it had been practised under the kingly rule, can the prevailing democratic laws allow any such barbarism, criminality or affront on human dignity and Temple sanctity?

Protect Sanaatana Dharma from Thookkam

Hinduism is already misunderstood because of many prevailing mysterious and crude practices. As a result of this, many Hindus as well as others foster repulsion towards the great Sanaatana (Eternal) Dharma of the world. 

• Elavoor Thookkam, if allowed to revive,  would worsen the reputation of Hinduism irretrievably.

 

An affront to Bhagavadgeeta and Upanishadic values

Widespread efforts, especially by Sannyaasins and Ascetics, have been quite effective in disseminating our true heritage -  dhaarmic values and perceptions. As a result the awareness of Scriptures and Cultural Heritage has substantially increased. The whole process will be reversed if any one anywhere is allowed to indulge in uncivilized and harmful practices in the name of Hindu Dharma. The catastrophe will be too grave. 

• Should any religious thinker be a mute witness to the revival of such a corrupt and degrading move? 

 

Therefore ??

 

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