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Tamil Nadu Govt’s Effort to take over Sankara Matam – is Central Govt stopping them?

(translated from dinamalar, courtesy Satya) : http://www.dinamalar.com

Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt. has undertaken an effort to bring out a hurried ordinance enabling it to take over the Sankara Matam. Tamil Nadu Govt sources say that it is getting delayed as the Governor [S.S. Barnala] and the Central Govt have not taken a decision to approve it.

This is a very trying time for the Sankara Matam. Police have involved the Mataathipathis in Varadaraja Perumal temple manager Sankarraman’s murder. Mataathipathi Jayendra Swamigal, junior Mataathipathi Vijayendra Swamigal, Sankara Matam manager Sundaresa Iyer, have all been put in jail in this connection. The Supreme Court has granted bail to Jayendra Swamigal, saying there is no prima facie evidence to support the charges [against him]. He is presently staying in Kalavai, and performs the daily pujas.

Vijayendra Swamigal and Sundaresa Iyer are behind bars in Chennai central prison. Although Jayendra Swamigal is out on bail, he is unable to go to the Mutt. Jayendra Swamigal had said he would not go to the Mutt until the charge-sheet is prepared in the case. The Supreme Court accepted this as a condition for bail.

With both Sankaracharyas absent from the Mutt, there was apprehension in the past few days regarding what action the Govt. might take against the Mutt. Moreover, the Govt has lodged a petition in the Supreme Court in order to prohibit Jayendrar Swamigal from staying Kalavai, where he has been stationed, performing pujas at a branch of the Mutt.

In this circumstance, it is being said that the Tamil Nadu Govt is making plans to take over the Mutt through an ordinance, and for this [purpose], they have sent a copy of the ordinance to the Governor [of Tamil Nadu, SS Barnala]. [Our] information is that an ordinance was drafted BEFORE Vijayendra Swamigal’s arrest to have the Mutt and all the trusts under the Mutt administered through a special officer and the draft was sent to the Governor. But the Governor, instead of approving it, sent it on to the President [APJ Abdul Kalam]. President [Kalam] will enquire with the Central Government whether this law can be approved & then only will he make a decision. That is why, say government sources, the ordinance is getting delayed.

The ordinance, sent by Tamil Nadu Governor [Barnala] to President [Kalam] for approval is now with the Central Home Ministry. This issue will have political repercussions throughout all of India at the national level. There is opposition throughout the nation to both the Sankaracharyas’ arrests. Leaders like former PM Vajpayee and former President R. Venkatraman have protested [the arrests] to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In this situation, the Central Government needs to consider its approval of the Tamil Nadu Govt’s ordinance from a political angle. Hence, it is questionable whether the Tamil Nadu Govt, will get the approval.

Chief Minister Jayalalitha has said in the Assembly that her Govt has no intention of taking over Sankara Matam. The DMK does not support a Govt takeover of the Mutt. The reason [for this conclusion] is that, previously, when reports came out that DMK was demanding a Govt. takeover of the Matam, M. Karunanidhi himself denied this. He “explained” that he only said the Mutt leadership is not alright. If there is no support from DMK [for the ordinance], the Centre will take this also into account.

Endowment Department is Ready:

With this being the state of affairs, the initial work is being undertaken to bring the Kanchi Sankara Matam under the direct administration of the Tamil Nadu Government. The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department’s Commisioner’s office has sent a report to the Chief Minister’s office.

*Special Police investigating Sankarraman’s murder conducted a direct inquiry into the Kamakshi Amman Temple accounts yesterday. HRCE board officers, who took part in the interrogations have given answers to the satisfaction of police objectives.

Police also are trying to frame another case on Peetaathipathi Jayendrar Swamigal, who is traditionally the religious head of Kamakshi Amman temple. Framing a case of mishandling of temple administration will allow them to immediately remove him from his traditional post as religious head. If he is removed from this post, he will be declared unfit, and *a report will be filed to temporarily remove him from the position of Madaathipathi*. Sources in the HRCE say that action will be taken on the basis of these charges to [permanently] demote him from his post as unfit.

Mataathipathis can be relieved of their responsibilities only through the civil courts. The HRCE can temporarily remove them from power immediately [if they are declared] unfit for leadership. When this temporary demotion occurs, there is an opening for the Govt to bring the Mutt under its control, by appointing independent officers [to administer the Mutt], giving the pretext that the Mutt’s management is at a stand-still.

[Efforts] to declare Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal unfit, as an accused in a murder case have been fettered by the Supreme Court’s judgment granting him bail. The Supreme Court has harshly accused [the TN govt.] that the charges against Jayendrar Swamigal have no basis in evidence. Keeping this in mind, the Govt is digging about for other reasons to get him temporarily removed from his position as Mataadipathi. One such reason is being sought in the Kamakshi Amman Temple accounts, as well as the enquiry into the Golden Chariot [a ceremonial chariot that the deity is paraded on during feast days].
The enquiry into the Kamakshi Amman Temple is at its peak now. It is indeed with this intention that the interrogation of the Secretary and employees of the temple is proceeding.

[Police] have registered another case charging mishandling of funds in the making of the chariot.

THE HRCE has sent a report to the Chief Minister saying that the Sankaramatam’s activities are at a standstill.

That report also poses questions about the administration of the Mutt. The report sent by the HRCE, which recommends that the Mutt administration be brought under its offices, requests an order to appoint the officers. The officers are awaiting orders from the Chief Minister.

[Dinamalar then mentions the TN Govt's recent takeover of the Lingayat Mutt at Kumbakonam]


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