Kerala: Temple assets are public, says Pinarayi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The administration of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple  should be like that of Guruvayur temple,  CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Monday. “The CPM has taken a clear official stand that the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple assets belong to the public. Apart from the items used for daily rituals, the assets of the  temple are also the country’s wealth. Their utilisation  should be discussed in public in a democratic manner before it is finalised,’’ he said. His comments assume significance as the Supreme Court is set to pronounce its order on the temple treasure on Wednesday.“The CPM respects the Supreme Court verdict and the observation made by it  on the findings of the Devaprasnam. The sentiments of the believers should be taken into account,” Pinarayi said.Suggesting the Guruvayur model of temple administration, Pinarayi said, “The administration is now in the hands of the Travancore royal family. The Guruvayur Temple was earlier with the Zamorin but now it is under a panel, including his representative. Similarly, a new administrative panel should be formed, including a representative of the royal family.”On the remarks by Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan on the temple row, Vijayan said he was making clear the CPM stand on the issue. “What I am saying is the party’s stand. If someone makes any other comment, it is not the party stand,” he added. Meanwhile, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said that any decision on the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple treasure should be taken only after considering the sentiments of the faithful and rituals and customs associated with the shrine.“It is for the state government to decide and take steps on the mechanism for it,” he said.On the CPM stand that the treasure is public property, Ramesh said all wealth in a temple or church is, in a way, public property. “Isn’t it true that all the wealth in Sabarimala belongs to the public,” he asked.“Non-believers can demand anything. I cannot comment in a manner similar to the CPM leaders. As a believer, I can only reiterate that the beliefs and customs of a place of worship should be taken into account,”  he maintained.