Rama Varma of the Travancore Royal family on Friday moved the Supreme Court for a direction to the court-appointed experts committee not to open kallara (vault) B at the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram, as doing so would cause resentment among devotees.
“Opening of the remaining kallara B as well as videography [of the valuables, including precious stones, found in the five vaults already opened] can only invite resentment from devotees even if it is suggested from any corner that their apprehensions are based on superstitions. The Constitution respects religious sentiments and does not condemn the same, provided they are within the parameters of the exception/safeguards named in Articles 25 and 26, viz. public order, morality and health,” Mr. Rama Varma said in his application.
“It is for the denomination to decide how to protect the wealth of the deity through the trustee, and the court should be circumspect in entertaining such public interest litigation [petitions] unless it is inevitable. Sree Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma, being the trustee, alone will have to take a decision on the matter in the normal course, but in the present scenario where the security of the temple itself stands exposed, attention may be given to that aspect alone.”
Mr. Rama Varma said one of the decisions of the expert committee, which visited the kallaras on August 1, was that “the professionals have to be present by August 21 at Thiruvananthapuram before starting the work, and their travel, accommodation, honorarium, etc., have to be arranged.
Tickets have to be booked in advance. Expenditure is involved. In this regard, the government of Kerala/the temple may deposit Rs. 1 crore as advance to start the work, which cannot wait.”
Mr. Rama Varma said: “It is not clear what exactly is the total estimated cost of the whole exercise. Time expected to be consumed is also not clear. If the temple is directed to shoulder an unpredictable financial burden, it would cause an irreparable loss to the deity, the temple and its beneficiaries.”
He said: “If the Supreme Court decides to direct the expert committee to carry out preservation and security measures, appropriate orders may be passed to ensure that no pilferage takes place during the exercise and to use the inventory report of the observer committee as the basis for the number of items of valuables found in the kallaras .”
Photography and videography of the valuables could only create more security concerns “if it [the footage] lands in wrong hands.” Further valuation of the valuables was not necessary, and opening of kallara B would only escalate the expenditure.
