Hindu scriptures describe God as self-manifest. He is ayonijaha (not born to any human parents). Probably, this is the reason why our politicians and bureaucrats feel that His abodes (temples) and the properties in this State are for any powerful’s grab. This has been going for the last several decades in Tamil Nadu, whether ruled by pseudo-atheists (DMK) or ostentatious asthikas (AIADMK). Under either regime, bureaucrats have mastered the art of plundering the resources of our magnificent temples across the State. Now, particularly during Covid 19, when devotees were not allowed, they had a field day to carry out their loot without anybody’s attention or leaving any traces.
Few media and vigilant devotees or organizations like Hindu Munnani / Viswa Hindu Parishad, brought out such nefarious attempts and such instances are reported in the dailies and magazines.
In the October 14, 2020 (latest) Thuglak weekly, an article titled Paripogum Kovil Nilangal – பறிபோகும் கோவில் நிலங்கள் by Shri N Murugan, IAS (retd) informs that lands worth over Rs.100 Crores belonging to Kandaswamy temple situated in less than two kilometres distance from the State Secretariat were targeted to be sold away through fake and forged documents. Murugan also mentions that in various parts of the State lands relating to over 60 temples have already been sold out and in some cases even constructions are in progress. The writer further observes that in these shady deals more than the politicians, bureaucrats have played active roles.
In the October 5 issue of Tamil daily Dinamalar, (பெருமாள் கோவில் நிலத்தை விற்க மக்கள் கடும் எதிர்ப்பு) the reporter provides details of the protest to the district administration’s attempts to sell away the lands of Karia Perumal Temple to State Government’s Water Board for construction of overhead water tanks. The government authorities are only the custodians of the temple lands donated by devotees over hundreds of years. People question the propriety of the officials in selling the lands.
Again, the October 3 issue of Dinamalar (குன்னூரில் கோவில் நாவல் மரம் வெட்டியவர் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க கோரி மக்கள் சாலை மறியல்) reports that the sacred sthala vriksha (Naaval tree;Jambu phala vruksha in Samskrit; Jamun ped in Hindi) of the 100 – year old Coonoor (Nilgris District) Muneeswarar temple has been felled and acid poured on the roots so that it cannot be re-grown. Worse, some parts of the temple have been demolished and idols are missing. Local Hindu Munnani karyakarta alleges connivance of the local government official. People hit the road demanding action on the offending official.
The August 27 issue of Tamilaga Arasiyal weekly reports various acts of omissions and commissions of the authorities of Maha Mariamman Temple in Aravakurichi, Karur. It deeply wounded the Hindu sentiments, says the report. To quote the most grievous ones: Arasa Maram (Aswatha vriksha in Samskrit) worshipped by the devotees was cut; a cow donated to the temple was sold to a butcher under the pretext of lack of funds (when authorities could have transferred the gomata to a Goshala attached to a nearby Shiva temple), pooja articles valued at over Rs. 4 lakhs are missing; financial irregularities spanning over several lakhs collected for Kumbabishekam; apathy in not collecting the monthly rentals from the shop owners doing business on temple properties, etc. (அரவக்குறிச்சியில் களவு போகும் கோவில் சொத்து)
To conclude, whenever elections are around the corner, politicians make a tall promise of handing over the lands to the tenants occupying (mostly illegal encroachers) the temple lands. For them, it is a vote catching trick without any personal or party investment. Though many times the courts have struck down such attempts, they have been shamelessly mouthing such slogans. This time it is the turn of Hon. Minister O S Maniyan. கோவில் நிலத்தில் குடியிருப்பவர்களுக்கு விரைவில் பட்டா வழங்கப்படும் – அமைச்சர் ஓ. எஸ்.மணியன் பேச்சு)
Is it not a state- sponsored fraud or atrocity on Hindu society? Ever vigilant Hindu society is the only possible safeguard against such continuous onslaught by vested interests.
