Devotees led by VHP retook possession, on June 5, of the property of Tiruvilla Anandeswaram Temple in Pathanamthitta district, which had been leased out to a movie house owner in 1978. The rent fixed was Rs 200 per month. Even after the expiry of the lease agreement and despite the court order, the lessees showed no sign of vacating the property, which they had been occupying illegitimately.
Devotees marched to Jacob Theatre, the movie house being run by the lessee. The devotees erected a saffron flag on the temple property and declared that they had retaken possession of the temple property. The court had ordered the property to be vacated in 2023. However, the lessees continued to occupy it illegitimately.
In 1978, the temple authorities leased out 36 cents of land to one Verghese and one Thomas. The lease was for 25 years, with a monthly rent of Rs 200. They neither vacated the land nor demolished the building after the expiry of the lease. The temple authorities then approached the court and obtained a favourable order from the Tiruvilla Munsiff Court. The court also ordered the lessees to pay rent arrears from 2018.
Despite this, the lessees did not comply with the court order. Not only that, they transferred the property to another person. This prompted the devotees to retake possession of the property. VHP General Secretary Anil Vilayil inaugurated the agitation. The agitation has served as a strong warning to those who believe that they can do anything with temple property.
