Thiruvananthapuram: In a shocking incident that unfolded on the evening of July 26, a pujari of the Manacaud Muthumari Amman temple was handcuffed and taken into custody by the Poonthura Police while performing a puja in the sanctum sanctorum. The pujari, Arun Potti, who claimed his innocence, spoke of contemplating suicide due to the acute insult he faced during the incident.
Arun Potti is the chief pujari of Manacaud Muthumari Amman temple. Potti was taken into custody by Poonthura Police. According to Potti, he had informed the police that the pooja was in progress and that he would report to the police station immediately after its conclusion. However, the authorities disregarded his plea and proceeded to apprehend him. Overwhelmed by the false accusations and the humiliation inflicted upon him, Potti expressed that he could no longer bear the insult, leading him to consider suicide as a possible escape.
The arrest came as a shock to the temple trust, with Chairman Nandakumar stating that they were unaware of the police’s actions. This unprecedented intrusion disrupted several poojas, prompting the temple trust to lodge a complaint with the Assistant Commissioner of Police regarding the incident. As news of the priest’s arrest spread, public outcry intensified, forcing the police to issue an apology over the phone.
In a shocking incident that left the community reeling, a priceless panchaloha murti, crafted from an exquisite alloy of five metals including gold and silver, was stolen from the revered Uchamadan temple last month. With an age exceeding 40 years and an estimated value of Rs 1.5 crore, this theft has sent shockwaves through the religious community. As authorities diligently investigate the crime, the former priest of the temple, Arun Potti, finds himself unexpectedly caught in the crosshairs of the investigation, being taken into police custody. Potti, however, vehemently denies any involvement in the pilferage.
According to Potti, he chose to depart from his role at the Uchamadan temple due to a difference of opinion with the temple secretary. Disturbingly, he claims that there is a deliberate attempt to implicate all pujaris who have left the temple under similar circumstances. Consequently, his name has found its way onto the list of suspects. The police had contacted Potti via phone, and he had assured them of his presence at the police station on Saturday, July 27. However, events took an unexpected turn on the evening of Friday, July 26, when the police arrived at the temple while Potti was engrossed in the preparations for the sacred Deeparadhana ritual, a revered dusk ceremony. Without warning, the police entered the temple premises, forcibly handcuffed Potti, and took him into custody. The temple’s devoted followers, led by the temple office bearers, quickly mobilized and staged a resolute protest against this unjust action. Their unwavering demonstrations ultimately resulted in Potti’s release late into the night.
The people of Kerala perceive this incident as an unparalleled assault on Hindu temples and the very essence of their faith. Many have begun to question whether the police would dare to treat a priest from a Christian church or a Muslim mosque with the same forcefulness as they did with Arun Potti. The answer, it seems, is a resounding no. The Home Ministry, presided over by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan – a prominent figure within the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM – and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), has inadvertently cultivated an environment where the police force takes for granted that Hindus are an easy target, thereby allowing anything to be done against them.
In response to this flagrant act of police atrocity against a temple priest, Hindu organizations in the capital city have initiated widespread protests.
