Murali's Writeups...

  ADMINISTRATION OF TEMPLES IN KERALA UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA (PART-2 OF THE LORD PADMANABHSWAMY TEMPLE) 1) The Coming Into Force of the Constitution of India a) The Government of India Act, 1919 and 1935, were not applicable to the State of Travancore.   At the time of Independence, the then king (acting on the advice of a hugely unpopular Diwan) contemplated an independent kingdom. However, such plans were abandoned in view of the prevailing nationalistic public sentiments. The king acceded to the Union of India on the condition that he will remain the custodian of Shree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The Travancore Devaswom Board Act, passed by the Legislature of Kerala, had distinct provisions to govern the temples which were under the administration of the King of Travancore. The provisions relating to the Padmanabha Swamy Temple were not amended at any time in the past, even though there were substantial changes to other provisions. Today, Kerala is a highly tolerant liberal soc

  A BRIEF HISTORY OF LORD PADMANABHASWAMY’S WEALTH- PART 1 PROLOGUE 1) Recently, the Supreme Court of India held that, after the death of the erstwhile ruler of the Travancore State, his most eligible descendant  will continue to remain the Shebait of Lord Padmanabhaswamy. The death of the erstwhile ruler deposited his “Instrument of Accession” with the Union of India, on the condition that he will remain the custodian of Lord Padmanabhaswamy’s properties, and the properties will accrue to the Legal Heirs even after the ruler’s death. But, I felt that the Supreme Court of India had not decided the most important issue which was presented before it for adjudication, viz., whether, notwithstanding the beliefs of the custodian and his spiritual advisors, the Temple can proceed with recording the inventory of the articles which are stored in the “ Stone Room ” (kallarai), as ordered by the Kerala High Court.  This question should be considered bearing in mind the following: a) Conside

THE NEVER-ENDING TURMOILS OF THE TAMILS IN INDIA-THE CUSTODIAL DEATH OF A. MUTHU   1) In my earlier blogs on Criminal Law, viz., Nirmala Devi [1] and Sathankulam [2] , I had pointed out the problems that plague the Criminal Justice Administration in the state of Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, in the last 4 or 5 years, the state of Tamil Nadu is perpetually in agitation mode. For example, we had the agitations against the Koodankulam nuclear power plant, the neutrino project, the NEET examination, Anitha’s suicide, hydro-carbon exploitation in the Cauvery Delta, Sterlite’s closure, police firing in Thootukudi etc., an endless list. It is possible I have missed out a few. As we are recovering from the Sathankulam Tragedy, the news of Anai Karai Muthu’s custodial death, this time at the hands of the Forest Department, has come to light. It is a consolation to know that the Judicial Magistrate in question, exercised better care and diligence than the remanding Magistrate in Sathankulam. T