Senior Congress leader and member of parliament from Vadakara constituency today slammed the CPM led Kerala government for using the income of Guruvayur temple for Chief Minister’s relief fund. Responding to Devaswom Board’s decision to donate Rs 5 crores from the Guruvayur Temple’s fixed deposits to CM’s relief fund, he said that the money must be used to give employees of various temples who have lost their income.
Speaking to the reporters, K Muraleedharan reminded the instances when the fund for flood relief was misused by the government. He said that the situation in the state is so pathetic that the Kunjananthan a senior CPM leader who is the accused in the murder of T.P. Chandrasekharan was granted parole because he has ‘serious health issues’. He questioned if the government would utilize the money for legally assisting such criminals. Money from temples has to be spent for Hindus, he pointed out.
Earlier, Kerala BJP President K Surendran had criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government for making Guruvayur Devaswom Board transfer Rs Five crore from its fixed deposit to Chief Minister’s relief fund. K Surendran attacked the Kerala government for transferring the money from Hindu temples to the relief fund and said that Devaswom’s step was wrong. This money should have been sent to temples that have been struggling to light the lamps, he said.
The Kerala High Court on Friday admitted public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Guruvayoor Devaswom Board decision. The court clubbed the PIL with similar petitions and the board has promised that it won’t make any further donations. However, the court said it will look into previous judgements to see whether the donation was in order. If found otherwise, the donation should be returned to the temple, the court said. “The court said it is a very serious issue,” said petitioner KSR Menon.
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