1. The Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple has become a cash cow for secular government ever since it was taken over by the Kerala state government in 1971
2. In 1977 when the Kerala state government tried to take money from the temple for its housing scheme, the Kerala High Court prevented the govt from taking temple money and struck down many sections the act as it was found to be in violation of Article 26 of the constitution
3. However in 1978, the Kerala State Government once again retained the administration of the temple by passing a new act called Guruvayur Devaswom Act of 1978
4. Since then time and again various governments have called upon the devaswom board to contribute towards development projects in the temple town - something which is never demanded from any non Hindu place of pilgrimage
5. During the floods in 2018, the Guruvayur Devaswom was forced by its highly political administration committee to transfer 5 Crs to CM fund. Same has been repeated now for Corona relief. google.com/amp/s/malayala…
6. Though the Guruvayur Devaswom Act of 1978 has no provision for such transfer of funds. But such blatant illegal loot of temple wealth seems to be a continuing process
7. Such an illegal act is also justified by many because the state government pays 13 lakh rupees per annum as rent compensation for 14000 acres of land taken over by the it from the temple. deshabhimani.com/special/news-s…
8. If just compensation for these 14000 acres of land, the state government should be paying 25-30 crores to the temple every year, assuming that none of these lands are commercial/residential.
9. In reality the just compensation for these lands may run into several 100 crores since land use pattern is largely non-agricultural
10. On the whole, the government is not only the temple it's due revenues but also looting directly from the temple.
11. In the current situation, the TDB has been begging the government to provide financial assistance for the administration of thousand plus temples falling under its purview. google.com/amp/s/english.…
12. Many artists associated with temples are suffering due to this lockdown - being denied their source of livelihood. Instead of supporting these traditional temple servants and artists, the party in power is keen on looting the Guruvayur temple funds directly and indirectly.
13. Hindu interests are not even given cursory glance by the current administrators of Guruvayur Devaswom Board. This pathetic administration of Guruvayur, makes us wonder if the current administrators should be allowed to administer the temple.
