Central prison temple also to hold back fireworks in future

Thiruvananthapuram: Maha Ganapathy temple on the Poojappura Central Jail premises was built 67 years ago for its inmates. But over the last three years, a three-day festival has been going on there with fireworks on concluding day.

M. Vijayanunni, a former chief secretary who stays in the neighbourhood, has shot off a complaint to Nalini Netto, the home secretary, and Rishiraj Singh, prisons DGP, alleging that the prison officials have resorted to collecting funds from the public when they don’t have access to the temple.

There was no festival three years back at the prison-temple. I came to know that prison authorities have been resorting to collecting funds from the public when they don’t have access. Also, the Supreme Court has given out instructions that fireworks should not be displayed from 10 pm until early morning which is being violated by the jail authorities”, he told DC.

But Poojappura jail superintendent, A. G. Suresh told DC that public comes to pray before the deity at Sree Mahaganapathy temple including KPCC spokesperson Rajmohan Unnithan, who is a regular, and several government officials in the neighbourhood.

“At the staff meeting of the jail authorities, it was decided that Rs 300 should be contributed by each staff towards the temple festival. The staff at police headquarters offered a day’s Annadanam, the next day 90 trainees offered it. But owing to the Puttingal mishap, we have decided not to hold fireworks in future,” said Mr. Suresh.

There are two temples inside the jail – one within its huge walls where only the inmates have access and the second one on the jail premises where the public has an entry.  Central Jail authorities told DC that there is a mosque as well as a church for inmates belonging to respective faiths.