The treasure worth Rs 90,000 crore retrieved from the Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple has triggered a row even before the expert panel completes its inventory and the Supreme Court speaks its mind.
While a section of cultural leaders and organisations wants the treasure to be used for public benefit, others want it to remain temple property.
Veteran jurist V.R. Krishna Iyer said the treasure should be handed over to a national trust and spent for the welfare of the poor. “This treasure is not for kings or Kuberas but for Kuchelas,” he said.
His feelings were echoed by social critic Sukumar Azhikode, who said the wealth belonged to the nation and should be spent for poverty alleviation. “Devotees don’t have rights over the wealth, though a part can be used for temple welfare,” he said.
SNDP leader Vellappally Natesan, however, said the government had no right to the wealth that belonged to Hindus. “How come the government is not taking over wealth in places of worship of other religions,” he asked.
BJP too asserted the treasure belonged to the temple. Sree Uthradom Tirunal Marthanda Varma, head of the Travancore royal family that runs the temple, was calm. “I will keep silent till the legal procedures are completed,” he said.