VHP flays Pinarayi on temple treasure

KOCHI: Lashing out at the CPM for its statement that the treasure found in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple was the state’s property, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad dared the Marxists to demand declaration of the properties of churches and mosques as state property.Addressing mediapersons here, VHP general secretary Kaladi Manikandan alleged that CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had made such a statement only to conceal the factional feuds within  his party.‘’The treasure of Padmanabhaswamy temple is the offerings made by the Hindus and the royal family. As such the treasure belongs only to the temple and Hindus,’’ he said. Manikandan also said that the VHP would go for agitations if there was any move to convert the treasures of the temple to state property and also if the government takes over the control of the temple.On Vijayan’s statement that a Board should be formed similar to Guruvayoor temple, Manikandan said the VHP was for a temple administration where there were no political interference. He also stated that the treasure in the temple should have to be valued so that there was some accountability. Manikandan also noted that VHP was of the opinion that the treasure should be used for the uplift of the Hindu community.   Treasure Belongs to Devotees: KummanamThe Hindu Aikyavedi has alleged that CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan’s  statement that the treasure found in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the property of the state was an infringement upon the rights and belief of the Hindus. “The treasure found in the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple belongs to the devotees alone, Hindu Aikyavedi general Secretary Kummanam Rajashekaran said here on Monday. The  property should be part of the temple, he said.Vijayan’s remark was a move against religious freedom, Rajashekaran said. On the CPM state  secretary’s demand for a Board for Padmanabhaswamy temple on the lines of Guruvayur temple, he said it was only for bringing in political interference in the administration of the temple. “If the government takeover was the only solution to issues related to religious places, then the government could have solved the Kolenchery church dispute by taking over the administration of the controversial church,” he said.