Arms lessons at temple: RSS faces the heat
Fearing religious sentiments, the police were not taking any action against the culprits
kochi: Devaswom Ombudsman Justice R. Bhaskaran has filed a report before the Kerala high court stating that he has received complaints against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for using the premises of Thrikkadavoor Mahadeva Temple, Kollam to impart arms training and to store arms and explosives.
The court initiated suo motu proceedings on the basis of the report and issued notices to the Travancore Devaswom Board and the Temple Advisory Committee.
A division bench comprising Justice P.N. Ravindran and Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar issued the notices.
Retired high court judge Justice R. Bhaskaran, the current ombudsman, submitted that he had received complaints from two local residents and several others alleging that the RSS was using the temple premises for imparting arms lessons.
It was also alleged that a person belonging to the rival gang of the RSS was recently killed and at present the temple was being used as their hideout.
Fearing religious sentiments, the police were not taking any action against the culprits. Though the devaswom board also had approached the police, it is yet to take action.
The report also stated that the temple authorities were collecting huge amounts from the devotees without proper accounts and no election to the Temple Advisory Committee had been called for the last five years.
Chief Vigilance and Security office asked the Travancore Devaswom Board to move the high court seeking police protection for the persons.