KOCHI: BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan on Sunday alleged the government’s attempt to take over the Tirumala Devaswom (TD) temple in Ernakulam was a violation of the Constitutional rights.
“Our Constitution gives thrust to secularism. The BJP will not allow anybody to rob believers of their rights, to run religious institutions. If the government moves ahead with its decision, the BJP will resist it.The government’s move is sheer violation of the rights of the minorities,” he told reporters here.
Kummanam alleged the Cochin Devaswom Board had no right to take over the temple. “Business interests have prompted the board to take over the temple. There are courts to settle issues, if any, related to the administration of the temple. The Devaswom boards comprising political leaders have no right to take over the temples run by believers. The government and the board have an eye on the properties of the temple. It should be run by believers and any attempts to hurt the religious sentiments will be opposed by the BJP,” he said.
“Following the takeover of the TD Medical College, the government attempted to acquire schools under Devaswom. Now, they are trying to take over the temple. This cannot be tolerated,” he said. Earlier, Kummanam visited the TD temple.
The alleged move by the Cochin Devaswom Board to take over the TD temple has invited the wrath of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community, which controls the administration of the temple in Ernakulam. The board had disbanded the administration committee after receiving a complaint from a section of the community.