Temple assets should be kept in temple itself, says Chandy

THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: Disapproving CPI (M)'s contention that riches found in the vaults of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple here are 'public assets', Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said these belong to the temple and should be kept there.

"The government will not interfere in the administration of temple affairs and it is for this temple and its believers to take a decision on utilisation of the assets," he told reporters here Friday.

The government had already informed the Supreme Court of its stand and was ready to provide necessary security for protecting the assets at the temple, he said.

Chandy said the government did not agree with CPI (M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan's contention that control of the assets should not be restored to the Travancore Royal House and added that upkeep of the valuables for so many decades itself was clear proof of the honesty of the royal house.

"At a time when corruption scandals crop up, it is a credit for Kerala and for the Royal Family that they preserved the assets for many years," Chandy said.

On amicus Curiae Gopal Subramaniam's suggestion in the apex court that control of the assets be handed over to the royal family, Chandy said it was for the court to take a final decision on the matter.

The proposals were submitted in the apex court by Subramanium two days ago.

The Supreme Court had early this year ordered the cellars of the temple, closed for several decades, to be opened to prepare an inventory while considering a private petition.

The deity of Padmanabhaswami Temple is the family deity of Travancore royal family. Members of the erstwhile royal family had dedicated their kingdom to the deity and pledged to live as servants of the Lord. The shrine is run by a trust floated by the Travancore royal house.

A vast collection of gold, silver, precious stones and priceless jewellery was discovered in the cellars of the temple while preparing the inventory.