DMK's and AP Target - Hindu Temples

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[url="http://expressbuzz.com/biography/Treasure-belongs-to-temple/292582.html"]Padmanabhaswamy treasure is temple property[/url]

Balbir Punj

Ever since the discovery of invaluable treasures in the vaults of Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple at Thiruvananthapuram, the secularists of various hues—atheists and Marxists—have been pleading for its transfer for public purpose like poverty alleviation programme. Apparently, either they have all missed the import and significance of these priceless findings or they think that Hindu temples are easy targets for such outright confiscation of what millions of devotees over centuries have donated as a demonstration of their faith.



Once you concede that these treasures have come from the devotees across centuries, there is no other rational explanation—the demand for confiscation is dishonest and an outright insult to their faith. Even Jesus Christ had said, when a Roman coin was shown to him, that one should give to God what is God’s and to Caesar what is Caesar’s, thereby keeping the assets of the two apart. This is the basis of public trust which succeeding generations should respect if society is to have any meaning.



Considering that such vast treasures stated to be worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore or more (antique values have still to be accounted for) were safely kept away from predators for such a long period through turbulent times, it is a tribute to the Travancore Royal family that they did not succumb to the temptation of appropriating at least some of it. The presence of treasure was never a secret. Most likely its extent and vast spread was not known.



For centuries, till today, the king visits the temple like everyone else with his upper torso exposed, underlying his position as the servant of the deity. After the temple visit, the king gets his feet cleaned only to



ensure that he did not carry even a particle of dust from the temple to his home. That was the scrupulous commitment the Hindu royalty had with referenced to the temple. It is, therefore, in the fitness of things that the newly installed UDF government in Kerala has refused to listen to the Leftist pleas to divert the treasure for purpose other than what the donees themselves wanted. It has also decided to consult the royal family regarding the upkeep



of the treasure.



In fact, the title “God’s Own Country” for Kerala comes from the large number of temples and their properties in the state. The Leftist evil influence in the state has seen to it that almost all the temples are deprived of the lands they had and instead depend upon government’s annual grants managed by special statutory



bodies called Devaswom Boards.



Not surprisingly, in the environment that the Congress and other ‘secularists’ have created in the country since Independence, the Hindu interests do not count and Hind sensibilities could be trodden down freely, but when it comes to Muslim and Christian sentiments, it is another matter. Any attempt to take over the properties of churches and masjids for better management immediately raises the ante.



Why is there not a body like Devaswom Board to take over and manage the considerable Church properties? Interestingly, I am told, there is a 60- year-old dispute between two factions of a Christian sect in central Kerala. Even violent incidents have happened in the scuffle for property among these but the state as such has refused to intervene. Why ?



With the discovery of so much wealth in the Padmanabha temple in Kerala, it is important that this does not go into the hands of the politicians of various hues and what is the temple property remains part of the temple itself. It may cost a fortune to protect this treasure, but it can be met from within, and need not be a burden on the state budget. Many countries do so to preserve their heritage by keeping them open for public viewing and charging a fee to meet the cost. God’s Own Country would only be adding to its tourist attraction by providing public access to this treasure trove for a fee.



The writer is a BJP MP.