Thiruvananthapuram: Vishwa Hindu Parishad has expressed their suspicion over reopening of the temples amid the rising number of coronavirus cases in the state. Gathering of devotees in the temple during the outbreak will certainly put the situation at risk.
The presidents of the Devaswom boards, who are nominees of the ruling party, were present while they invited Christian church officials and Islamic religious leaders to discuss the decision on entry to the places of religious worship.
This raises suspicion when the chief priests of the temples, monks or leaders of Hindu organisations were not empowered to participate in the meeting.
It is to be noted that the other two religious groups that had initially urged to open the shrines, have now decided to prohibit devotees from entering the places of worship. It is alleged that even restriction in the prasad which is handled by the priest has some motive by the Devaswom Board and the government.
The temple pujas were performed regularly during the lockdown. VHP has asked devotees to refrain from temple visit stating that if in case coronavirus outbreaks due to large number of people, it will affect the daily pujas and the temples will have to be closed.
VHP is of the view that devotees should stay inside homes and observe evening prayers and lighting of the lamp.
In a joint press release, VR Rajasekharan (State Joint Secretary), R Narayana Pillai (State Mathamandir Pramukh) and S Sanjayan (State Prachar Pramukh) said that the state committee’s decision is not to allow entry to devotees in temples owned by Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has over 100 temples in Kerala.
