Archakas stage protest

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, NOV. 12. Priests and head priests of temples in the State took out an impressive and large procession here on Monday to the office of the Endowments Commissioner with a charter of 11 demands.The major ones relate to retention of retirement age at 65 years, a relook into the Endowments Act of 1987 which, according to them, has been the root cause of all ills plaguing the temple system, and end to ``Government interference,'' sale of Endowment lands and commercialisation of temples.

The rally was organised under the aegis of different representative organisations such as Andhra Pradesh Archaka Samakhya, Dharma Parirakshana Samiti, Archaka Seva Samiti, Adi Saiva Youth Society and Sri Vaikhasana Archaka Mandali. The rally was unique in every aspect in that it was devoid of slogan- shouting, traffic jams, inflammatory speeches by leaders or any inclinations to incidents or violence. In fact, Mr R. Papa Rao, MLA belonging to the Telangana Rashtra Samiti, was asked to desist when he wanted to make a speech extending his party's ``full support'' to the archakas. The protesters carried placards and banners highlighting their demands.

The archakas in their traditional attire assembled at the Kutch Bhavan at King Koti having come from different districts, and started off in two rows amidst Vedic chanting. Instead of bypassing as they would have done during such processions for fear of incidents, passers-by came close to witness the unique features of the two-furlong-long rally and absorb the soothing Vedic reciting renting the air like ``Vaasudevaya namaha...'' When one or two young pujaris tried to raise anti-government slogans, they were shouted down by elder archakas such as Dr M. V. Soundara Rajan.

On reaching the Commissioner's office the archakas squatted in a dharna occupying a half of the road along, leaving the other half to traffic flow. A delegation consisting Dr Soundara Rajan, Mr T. Ramacharya, president of the samakya, and Mr A. Atreya Babu, general secretary, submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner, Mr. Ajeya Kallam. Mr. Kallam promised to do his best.

Speaking to The Hindu later, Mr Ajeya Kallam said the draft for newly announced pay scales for archakas was under preparation and it would be notified soon calling for objections, if any, before implementation. Referring to a charge made by the samakhya, he said, no orders were issued from the department to relieve any archaka, treating 58 years as retirement age as in the case of government staff. The 65-year age would be maintained, as was now, till the final judgment came from the High Court.

Regarding Bhimasen Acharyulu, the archaka of Yoganaraismha temple at Alampur in Mahabubnagar district, who had committed suicide on receipt of the relieving order, he said the family was immediately given an ex gratia of Rs 25,000 and his son absorbed as pujari within a week. About the exemption sought from the 15 per cent contribution to be made by the 6 (C) category temples whose annual income was less than Rs 50,000, he said, the Government was examining this with a view to settling it amicably.

Temple bandh

The archakas as part of their agitation, have decided to close temples on Kartika Purnima day, which falls on November 30. They would perform regular rituals but shun ``all types of arjitha sevas'' such as abhisekhams to devotees.

Announcing this, the Andhra Pradesh Archaka Samakhya general secretary, Mr A. Atreya Babu, said this extreme step was taken to allow an ``atmavalokanam'' (introspection) by the Government/department as well as the archakas themselves about their demands. However, he said, this would be resorted to only if the Government/department did not settle their problems by then.

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