Chennai : Worshippers assemble at Shri Agastheeswarar Temple, Condemn misuse of Temple property

Nungambakkam, Chennai – On 21st September morning many devout Hindus gathered at Shri Agastheeswarar temple as per the call given by Temple Worshippers Society and All Shiva Devotees Association, demanding to take legal action against the culprits who misused the temple property and to return the temple properties. The Hereditary Trustee, which itself has been questioned by Temple Worshippers Society of this Temple had sold huge portions of the Temple’s lands to lot of people including those from the minority communities violating the law, rules and regulations. To cite an example, a Mosque has been built on the Temple’s land on Valluvar Kottam Road, Chennai.

Temple Worshippers Society has been fighting this case for the past three years. As a follow up of their legal action, it was expected that the team of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Boards (HR & CE) officials would visit the Temple premises for checking the official records; however they did not turn up. Then devout Hindus spoke with EO (executive officer) available at Temple office, who tried to pretend as if he didn’t knew anything and this was the first time that he heard about the temple property misuse case.

Afterwards devout Hindus went around streets surrounding the temple, where the temple properties were located with survey numbers in their list. They stood in front of mosque which stands on Temple property and chanted Namaha Shivay japa for few minutes. Later all went to Kodambakkam Vengeeswarar temple to inspect the encroached land. Many public came forward with the details of alienation. Then entire group proceeded to the HR & CE office and met the commissioner, who told that he was kept in dark about the protest. HR & CE commissioner assured Hindu devotees that he will meet them all with all the concerned officials from revenue, Corporation, registration and HR & CE officials at his office.

On behalf of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Shri. Shriram Luktuke participated in the protest and assured that HJS will always be there to give full support whenever there is attack on Hindu Dharma in any form.

Highlights

• All devout Hindus did pradakshina to Shri Agastheeswarar deity accompanied by Shankhnaad & traditional temple instruments (drum, cymbals) which charged the complete atmosphere with kshatravrutti (warrior spirit).
• Shri. Ranjith & Smt. Uma Anandan criticized the Executive Officer for acting ignorant and resorting to the technique of divide and break the opposition by calling only a few inside his office and refusing to address all the gathered devotees outside the temple premises.
• Devotees were also discussing about fifty thousand acres of missing land and its records over the ten years span, i.e. between 1992 and 2002 survey.
• All devotees agreed that atrocities on Hindus are increasing and took an oath to fight together.