Hindu Temples And Mutts targetted by State or UPA

[Guest]

Don't know if the following's been posted before, I didn't come across it until now:
News from 2005, on how terrorist government took over a <b>Veerashaiva Mutt</b> and spirited away its <b>Swamigal</b> (spiritual head):

http://sankaracharyaarticles.blogspot.com/...konam-mutt.html
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Thursday, January 20, 2005
 
<b>Government designs on the Kumbakonam Mutt.</b>
www.vikatan.com/jv/2005/jan/23012005/jv0202.asp

Excerpts: Junior Eagle update

<b>“Swamigal’s Disappearance: Secretary’s Death!”</b>

“Remember I told you about the startling news of the Kumbakonam Veera Saiva Matam near Mahamaka Pond – the one that was the preview for Kanchi Matam’s takeover.

Now, the board that had been put up by the Mutt people has been removed and HRCE has put up a shiny new board in Amma’s favorite color: green” Junior Eagle gave us follow-up while munching chips.

“You said the <b>Mataadipathi was more or less under house arrest</b>,” we reminded.

[Junior Eagle:]“That’s right. Word is going around that the HRCE, which has taken hold of the Mutt is trying to forcibly kick out Neelakanta Swamigal. <b>VHP people and a whole lot of devotees thronged in front of the Mutt on Maatu-Pongal day</b> [Jan. 15th]

“We don’t want to kick him out or anything. <b>Swami himself wants to go to Bangalore</b>. He said he wants to stay a few days to do special pujas and then go back,” the <b>HRCE officials said</b>.

“Whatever it is, let us hear it from him in person – Bring him out!” the crowd chanted. Finally they brought the Swamigal to the gate.”

<img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/224/2632/320/darshan%20of%20swamigal.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><i>Darshan of swamigal - Jaya-style!</i>

“So what on earth did Neelakanda Swami say?”

[Junior Eagle:]“Even though they brought him out and stood him at the gate. <b>They wouldn’t let anyone get near enough to talk to him.</b> From far away, the devotees shouted out at the top of their lungs:

<b>“Swami! They say you want to go to Bangalore?”

To which, Swamigal replied in his mother tongue, Kannada:
“I don’t want to go anywhere anytime soon!” and he went back inside.</b>

“If we come to know that you threw him out by force, we won’t let it go!” warned the crowd before dispersing.

<img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/img/224/2632/200/confrontation%20with%20officers...devotees%20wonder%20-%20can%20we%20trust%20them.1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><i>Unconvinced, devotees confront officials</i>

But the next day after Maatu Pongal. [Jan. 16] <b>the officers forcibly loaded him into their vehicle and have taken him somewhere.</b> No one knows his whereabouts.
[Ed: As dinamalar’s report on Jan 18 shows, Neelakanta Saranga Desikendra Swamigal was taken to Power Agent Handi’s house. Read on to see what happens next to Handi.]

This had already angered devotees – <b>on the same day, Secretary of the Mutt, Handi died of a heart attack</b> [Ed: that’s right, the same day HRCE officers presumably dropped the Mataadipathi off at his house.], increasing their anger.

“Handi was already very perturbed by the Mutt issue” [ie HRCE’s takeover of the Mutt]. “That was the reason for his heart attack. The Government is going to have to answer for all this,” say furious [devotees].

END EXCERPT
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->[Later reports from dinamalar follow:]

www.dinamalar.com/2005jan18/imp51.asp

<b>“Entry Barred to Veera Saiva Mutt – Hindu Organizations strongly protest.” – </b>Dinamalar, Jan 18, 2005

Dinamalar, Jan 18, 2005

Summary Translation:

Hindu Organizations strongly protested against the barring of public entry to the Kumbakonam Veera Saiva Mutt. This Mutt was previously being administered by Neelakanta Saaranga Desikendra Swami.

Citing improper administration, HRCE brought the Mutt under its control on the 7th. <b>Swamimalai Temple Deputy Administrator, Danapaal took over administrative responsibility for this Mutt.</b>

[snip]

Yesterday morning [ie Jan 17th], <b>HRCE barred public entry to the Mutt</b>. They also <b>denied entry to journalists</b>. Worried devotees and Hindu Organizations gathered in front of the Mutt.

END SUMMARY<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd--><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->www.dinamalar.com/2005/jan19/imp41.asp

<b>“Veera Saiva Matam’s Madaadipathi Suddenly Expelled: Hindu Organizations, Devotees Shocked!”</b> – Dinamalar, Jan 19, 2005
[...]
The Mutt Administrative Committee’s Deputy Chief, Ramathirunavukarasu said:<b> “HRCE officers forcibly expelled the Madaadipathi from the Mutt. At present, Swamigal is staying at the house of Power Agent Anthanappa-Handi on Needa Mangalam Road.</b> The expulsion of Swamigal has deeply distressed devotees. <b>It was on the 7th, Madaadipathi’s birthday, that the Swamimalai Temple’s Secretary forcibly obtained Swamigal’s signature to sign over the Mutt to the HRCE.”</b>

In regard to this, from the HRCE side, those who have taken over responsibility for the Mutt said: “The previous administrator and Madaadipathi himself signed over the Mutt, as he was preparing to leave. He was not expelled by anyone. He has not disappeared. He left on his own.”

The Madaadipathi’s Power Agent Anthanappa-<b>Handi</b> was going to Chennai with VHP District Chief Swaminathan to Chennai to <b>move an order opposing the HRCE takeover</b>. During that time, the day before yesterday, he ended up in the hospital with sudden heart trouble. [Ed: Other reports say that he died. Some media said he <b>died mysteriously</b>.]<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->