Shri Raghavendra Swamy Brundavanam Trust on Sunday alleged harassment by the Endowment Department and accused its officials of trespassing into its temple located on Main Road and raiding the premises.
Officials from the Endowment Department visited the temple, developed in nearly 1,000 square yards donated by M.J. Swami on May 4 and asked the temple employees to submit records pertaining to title deed and questioned as to why they were not submitting accounts regularly.
The trust was set up in 1978 to propagate the ideals of Jagadguru Sri Madhwacharya, foster religious fervour and take up social service for the welfare of the poor.
Viswesha Thirtha Swami, head of Sri Pejawar Adokshaja Mutt had installed the `Brindavanam' of saint Sri Raghavendra Swami of Mantralayam.
Later, the trust came under the control of Endowment Department. Consequently, the trust used to submit all information on accounts and payments as required from time to time.
“As the running of the temple and trust affairs became difficult with the trustees becoming old, the trust at its general body meeting five years ago had resolved to hand over the affairs of the mutt for performing daily pooja to Sri Viswesha Thirtha Swami, head of Sri Pejawar Asokshaja Mutt, Udipi, who was responsible for installation of the Brindavanam,” trust's secretary and managing trustee A. Raghavendra Rao told reporters on Sunday.
He said they informed regarding the trust's decision to the Endowment Department in 2007. “We also sent several letters to the District Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Endowments and all others during 2007-2010 conveying the fact that the trust and temple have been brought under the mutt based at Udupi – which gives the required information to the Endowment Department of Karnataka,” he stated. Mr. Rao said there was no income from the temple and hence, it would not come under Endowment Department's control.
He said they were planning legal action against the department for `harassing and humiliating' them.
