Devaswom board issues circular banning RSS activities on temple land

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) banned RSS branch activities on temple land and properties. The board in its order has directed the deputy devaswom commissioners, assistant devaswom commissioners, administrative officers and sub group officers to take strict action if they see martial training and mass drills.

Branch activities in temples under Travancore Devaswom have been banned. Members of the devaswom approved advisory committee are also prohibited from conducting namajapa gosham against the devaswom board by placing a microphone inside the temple or on temple property. Earlier bans were imposed by using the name of RSS but it was not effective. The order has been issued again.

The devaswom commissioner's order stated that such encroachments lead to violating the sanctity of the temple and disturbing the privacy of the devotees. The order has made it clear that the temple authorities can seek the help of the police or the district administration to control the activities of such organisations.

Any pictures, symbols, flagpoles etc not related to the temple will be removed immediately. The devaswom vigilance will check whether martial training is taking place at night. Priests have also been asked to provide information. The order also directed that the notices and pamphlets related to the temple should be printed only after the approval of the devaswom authorities.

Meanwhile, Union Minister V Muraleedharan came forward against the devaswom commissioner’s order. He criticized the circular of the devaswom commissioner.