Date:31/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/31/stories/2005013107040400.htm

Karnataka

Govt. warned against temple takeover

By Our Staff Correspondent

UDUPI, JAN. 30. The secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Surendra Kumar Jain, here on Sunday warned the State Government against taking over the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple in Udupi.

Addressing presspersons, Mr. Jain said that the VHP does not believe in "governmentalisation" of mutts/temples but in their "social orientation." If the Government does not drop its move to take over the temple, the VHP will launch a movement against it, he warned.

The shrine at Bababudangiri should be handed over to the Hindus. This right cannot be taken away by the Government or anybody. The VHP will make "Datta Peetha" a national issue, he said.

Mr. Jain charged that Christian missionaries are increasing their activities in the State. Such activities are also going on in Manipal. In Udupi, attempts are being made to change the name of Kavi Muddanna Road, the main road of Udupi, to Church Road. He claimed that the real name of St. Mary's Island near Udupi was Tonsepar Island and the original name should be restored. There was lack of support to the American evangelist, Benny Hinn, in Bangalore, he claimed.

Mr. Jain criticised the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa, over the arrest of the senior and junior seers of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

Speaking at the Hindu Samajotsava organised by the Sangh Parivar organisations, Mr. Jain said that though there is no proof against Sri Jayendra Saraswati, he had been kept in jail for two months.