Bengaluru: Government intends to wrest Gokarna temple administration


Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 24: The state government, on Friday September 23, expressed its intention to take back control over Lord Mahabaleshwara temple at Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district, a famous centre of pilgrimage, in a decision which is sure to stoke controversy. The temple administration was entrusted to Sri Ramachandrapur Math during BJP tenure in the state in 2008.

The state made its intention clear during the hearing of petitions filed by Samsthana Mahabaleshwara Trust and a devotee of the temple, Balachandra Vighneshwara Dixit, against handing over this temple to Ramachandrapur Math, which came up before a division bench of the high court on Friday. Advocate for the government, placing arguments on behalf of the government, stated that the temple in questions belongs to the public but the then government, in 2008, had decided to hand over the temple to a private Math. "The Math has funds running into crores of rupees, all of which goes to the Math. Therefore, an order may be passed to give the administration of this temple back to the government," he requested.



Chief Justice of the high court, S K Mukherjee, in response, questioned state advocate general, M R Nayak, about the official stand of the government on this issue. Nayak said that after the temple was handed to the Math, the government and governor have received several complaints about the way things are handled there. He said the government contemplates to take back control of the temple if it is felt necessary, and all facts are being looked into at present. As more discussions need to be held before arriving at a final decision, he sought eight weeks time to make stand of the government clear.

The chief justice reminded him that the court had directed the government during earlier hearing to make its stand clear on this issue. He thereafter said that the government will be given six weeks time for the purpose. After directing Nayak to make the government's final decision known on the issue during the next hearing, he posted the case to November 11 for next hearing.

Reacting to the development, advocates for the Match questioned shift in the stand of the government, which had earlier been contending that this temple belongs to the Math. The official stand of the government was that it was wrongly mentioned in records that this temple belonged to the government, and therefore it was returned to Math when this wrong was corrected. They expressed surprise about this sudden shift, duly pointing out that the government does not get any revenue from this temple, and all the money is spent on temple itself, and that the Math had used its own funds for improving facilities at the temple. Some devotees also expressed suspicion of some conspiracy working behind the government's decision to drop former advocate general, B V Acharya, from representing government in the case and making Nayak to appear on behalf of the government.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Shiva Mangaluru, Mangaluru

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    People who supports state govt's attempt, should visit Gokarna first and look at the cleanliness, transparent administration, developments done. Also, speak with local people and get their feedback about temple. Consider the opinions of majority, not the opinion of 3-4 looters. Does the govt has the courage to follow similar policy with church and mosques...???

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Radhakrishna Khandige, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Very simple ! VINASHA KAALE VIPARITA BUDHI !!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • subhodh, kallianpur

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    What will govt do after take over control of this temple??? Govt is only interested in money & it is not interested in any religious performances/development of temples & accountability. We have already seen in case of Kateel temple. Some people made a comments on goddess & devotees still protesting but whether govt released any statement or taken any responsibility? Investigation also not in a proper way & all the culprits are not yet arrested/identified why? Police are able to arrest/identify the culprits in the recent cybercrime case but why not in this.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shammi, Karnataka

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Read the news carefully guys,It is a famous centre for pilgrimage,so it is better if its under state gov't.Coz they can handle if any untoward accident like stampede etc happen.Even Taj Mahal and Goan Catholic churches are in their state govt control.Only famous ones will be Nd it should be, as it is a matter of security and maintaining the cultural heritage.
    Why do you take it negatively when state govt is doing good for people.Have you not seen illegal money transactions done by mutts with some outsider(namo leader)And it sad our rti activist had to pay for his life for disclosing.So its better to be under Govt control.

    DisAgree [22] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • vasanth, mulki

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Shammi,

    it is not like that. most of the famous temples in Karnataka have been controlled by govt only. the money comes through "hundis" will goes to govt & the same is distributed for different schemes & it not only used for temple development. you told that gokarna is a pilgrimage place. not only gokarna, there are famous churches & masjid, durgha in state are also pilgrimage place & also people gather there during festival season & there also chances of stampede, & security issue also there. then why govt not controlling these place?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    In fact, necessity of security is more in Dargas. There are always sectarian fights.
    As per Shammi, govt. should take over Dargas first.

    DisAgree Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shammi, Karnataka

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Yes Vasanth.Your are right.Even famous shrines/Darghas should also be under government.But may be that temple is the place where khazana is highly hidden,but in case of masjid and church we dont offer any gold ,silver etc.
    I find this as the strong reason for govt to take control.But if any Govt official or any member is playing up with worship place treasures I donot think so he/she will be spared by God.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • RSRB, Kundapura / Singapore

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Nidderama does not believe in HINDU gods... then why to takeover the temple???... For temple money??

    DisAgree [3] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harish, Kadaba

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Dear Congi, You lost last central election bec of your anti hindu policy, still you think can rule like divide and rule continuously,. If have like that you will lose Karnataka also, You have 100s of good things can do for people, still time for you to stop it, by the by can you try to take gokarnananatha temple too?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • sri, Karkala

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Why only targeting Hindus?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    If Congress wants to refer itself as secular and not minority appeasing party, then it should take over control on all religious institutions, be it temples, churches or mosques.
    Otherwise it should not not interfere in any of the religious places.
    Can any 'seculars' here can justify the govt. taking control of temples but not churches or mosques?

    DisAgree [9] Agree [51] Reply Report Abuse

  • SK, Mangalore

    Sat, Sep 24 2016

    Good point ..... may be the govt is after money as they are after George ...

    DisAgree [6] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse


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