A coalition of Hindu organisations has launched a major push for ‘Mandir liberation’, marking the 89th anniversary of the historic Mandir Entry Proclamation. Leaders used the Mandir Parliament in Kochi to present a chargesheet against Kerala’s Devaswom Boards, alleging corruption, mismanagement and anti-Mandir policies.
The Mandir Parliament has decided to form a delegation and send it to Sabarimala on November 18 to collect relevant data before formulating further actions. This decision came as part of a wider push by several Hindu organisations to assert and strengthen their voice through a Mandir Parliament convened on the 89th anniversary of the Mandir Entry Proclamation of 1936, which enabled all Hindus belonging to the so-called lower castes to enter Mandirs.
The Mandir Parliament, held on November 12, declared the need for ‘Mandir liberation’, meaning the freeing of temples from the clutches of the atheist government and the government-controlled Devaswom Boards manned by atheist and pseudo-secularist politicians. More than a thousand Mandir administration committee workers from across the state participated in the conclave, which exposed corruption in the five Devaswom Boards in the state, their anti-Mandir stance, and their role in Mandir lootings.
The meeting at Bhaskariyam Convention Centre in Kochi discussed actions to be taken against Mandir looters, the legal aspects of dissolving the Devaswom Boards, and handing over Mandir administration to devotees and believers. It also deliberated on protest programmes to be undertaken.
The proceedings served as a chargesheet against the state government in the wake of criminal corruption within the Devaswom Boards. Swami Chidananda Puri inaugurated the Parliament. Hindu Aikyavedi state president R.V. Babu presided. VHP state secretary Adv. Anil Vilayil, Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti state president Mullappalli Krishnan Namboodiri, Ayyappa Sevasamajam president P.N. Narayana Varma and Sabarimala Karma Samiti general convener S.J.R. Kumar addressed the Parliament.
RSS Uttar Kerala Pranth Sanghchalak Adv. K.K. Balaram spoke on the issues prevailing in Mandirs and the anomalies in Malabar and northern Kerala temples, including legal matters. C.R. Radhakrishnan, former Deputy Commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board, explained his service experiences.
Shaji Varavoor, Thrissur district vice-president of the Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, the Kerala chapter of Prajna Pravah, spoke about corruption and discrepancies in the Guruvayoor Mandir administrative committee. Kochi Devaswom Board retired Revenue Inspector V.R. Mohanan highlighted the anti-Mandir attitudes of the Devaswom Board.
Hindu Aikyavedi state patron K.P. Sasikala Teacher presented the ‘chargesheet’ against the government. State vice-president E.S. Biju introduced the resolution. Hindu Aikyavedi state working president Valsan Thillankkerry delivered the valedictory speech. Kummanam Rajasekharan, former Mizoram Governor and senior BJP leader, spoke on the occasion. Padmashree awardee Acharya Kunjol Master was present. Hindu Aikyavedi general secretary K.P. Haridas and Sabu Santhi (santhi meaning temple priest) also spoke.
The Mandir Parliament marks a significant step in the Hindu organisations’ efforts to liberate Mandirs from the control of atheist politicians.
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