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'Kanchi seer not Hinduism's pontiff'

 

By P C Vinoj Kumar in Chennai

Saturday, 04 December , 2004, 12:30

 

Thirukottiyur Madhavan, a Brahmin priest, living near

the famous Parthasarathy Temple at Triplicane,

Chennai, survived a murderous assault when a gang

waylaid him near Mount Road on August 3 and attacked

him with lethal weapons. He suffered cuts on his head

and was rushed to the nearby Apollo Hospitals for

treatment.

 

The 43-year-old Madhavan refused to register a police

complaint. A devout man with a philosophical bent of

mind, he told his family that God would mete out

justice.

 

Several weeks later, Kathiravan, one of the key

accused in the Sankararaman murder case, told police

that he was involved in the attack on Madhavan.

Subsequently, a FIR was lodged at the Thousand Lights

Police Station.

 

The case was later transferred to the Special

Investigation Team probing the Kanchi Sankararaman

murder case.

 

Madhavan has told the police about his dispute with

the Kanchi Shankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswati over

the demolition of the 'thousand pillar mandapam' at

the famous Tirupati Temple and the shifting of a Shiva

idol from a temple in Tirunelveli.

 

Madhavan spoke exclusively to Sify.com.

 

What was the problem at Tirupati?

 

The 'thousand pillar mandapam' at the Tirupati temple

is an ancient structure. The pillars had exquisite

carvings of gods and goddesses. Discuss:

Shankaracharya should step down to protect the honour

of the Kanchi Math

 

It had carvings of Ramanujar, Andal and Nammalvar.

There were many Tamil inscriptions. In the past, kings

showed special attention in preserving the mandapam.

Krishna Deva Raya renovated it during his kingship.

Later, another renovation was carried out in 1464 AD.

 

The Kanchi Shankaracharya wanted to destroy the

thousand-pillar mandapam on the pretext of renovating

the Tirupati temple. We resisted it for about six

years. But it was demolished last year. It has brought

curse on the land.

 

What curse has it brought?

 

 

 

Temples are built on directions from God. If temples

are destroyed, it brings harm to the nation and its

rulers. The attack on former Andhra Pradesh chief

minister Chandrababu Naidu and his loss in the

elections was because of this curse.

 

How do you say that the Kanchi Shankaracharya was

responsible for the demolition of the thousand-pillar

mandapam?

 

He showed great interest in pushing the 'master plan'

for the Tirupati temple. We were opposed to it. The

Tridandi Chinna Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swamiji

also opposed it.

 

The Kanchi Shankaracharya is head of the Kanchi math.

He is not the pontiff of Hindu religion. He cannot

interfere in the affairs of all Hindu temples.

 

The BJP, which is now supporting the Kanchi

Shankaracharya, remained silent when the

thousand-pillar mandapam was demolished. If they had

saved the temple from being demolished, I would have

had respect for them.

 

The law is same for everybody. Whoever commits a

mistake has to be punished. It does not matter if he

is a Brahmin, Christian or Muslim.

 

I do have great regards for the Kanchi math. I have

many friends there. Ninety-nine percent of those in

the math are good. Many of them have lamented to me

about the state of affairs in the math.

 

What about the temple in Tirunelveli?

 

The Kanchi Shankaracharya issued instructions to

remove the Sivalingam from the Thirukunkudi temple. I

protested against the move. I received threats but I

went to court and got a stay.

 

Are you receiving threats now?

 

I have not received threats, but I am scared. The

police have assured me of protection. The SP, Prem

Kumar, and his colleagues have been kind to me.