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To secure the undisclosed wealth at Kerala’s Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Supreme Court on Friday made it clear that it would not be guided by blind faith and superstition, on the strength of which it was sought to be restrained from opening the lone temple vault.
The Court took note of an application in this regard moved by Kerala Kshatriya Samaj where it demanded to drop opening of temple vault B. Said to contain valuable wealth, there has been a division among the trustees on its opening, specially since a devaprasnam (ritual conducted to ascertain deity’s wish) did not favour such a move.
The bench of Justices RV Raveendran and AK Pattnaik said, “In the name of preserving faith and culture of the temple, we do not mean that impractical superstitions can go hand in hand with protection of wealth If because of your faith we do not provide security and if something happens, will you be responsible.”
Shunning meaningless rituals projected in the name of faith, the bench said, “We believe traditions have to be respected but if concern of security becomes inevitable, we will have to order so.” An Expert Committee constituted by the Court in this regard had submitted that opening of the vault B was inevitable for purposes of inventory and to avoid possibility of “tunneling”.
Giving hints that the temple traditions may have to be “compromised” with regard to opening of vault B, the bench reserved orders till Wednesday.
In the event the Court would direct opening of the said vault, the Committee will be required to prepare a detailed report of inventory at the temple.
The Court realised that prior to this a security plan had to be put in place to secure the extracted treasure. Already five of the vaults in the temple were opened and kept in the temple under protection of the Committee.
The Committee recommended a budget of5 crore for temple security and an additionalsort2.5 crore for the Committee expenses, which the State is not ready to bear alone. The State even favoured deputing State police over CRPF personnel. The bench was of the view the temple should not be required to share much of the cost burden. However, a decision in this regard will be passed on Wednesday.
The Court took note of an application in this regard moved by Kerala Kshatriya Samaj where it demanded to drop opening of temple vault B. Said to contain valuable wealth, there has been a division among the trustees on its opening, specially since a devaprasnam (ritual conducted to ascertain deity’s wish) did not favour such a move.
The bench of Justices RV Raveendran and AK Pattnaik said, “In the name of preserving faith and culture of the temple, we do not mean that impractical superstitions can go hand in hand with protection of wealth If because of your faith we do not provide security and if something happens, will you be responsible.”
Shunning meaningless rituals projected in the name of faith, the bench said, “We believe traditions have to be respected but if concern of security becomes inevitable, we will have to order so.” An Expert Committee constituted by the Court in this regard had submitted that opening of the vault B was inevitable for purposes of inventory and to avoid possibility of “tunneling”.
Giving hints that the temple traditions may have to be “compromised” with regard to opening of vault B, the bench reserved orders till Wednesday.
In the event the Court would direct opening of the said vault, the Committee will be required to prepare a detailed report of inventory at the temple.
The Court realised that prior to this a security plan had to be put in place to secure the extracted treasure. Already five of the vaults in the temple were opened and kept in the temple under protection of the Committee.
The Committee recommended a budget of5 crore for temple security and an additionalsort2.5 crore for the Committee expenses, which the State is not ready to bear alone. The State even favoured deputing State police over CRPF personnel. The bench was of the view the temple should not be required to share much of the cost burden. However, a decision in this regard will be passed on Wednesday.
