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Battle for Gods moves to court

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JAN. 6. It is a battle for the ``Gods''.

While the struggle between the Archaeological Survey of India and the people of Tiruvannamalai for ``rights'' over the Arunachaleshwarar temple continues, the ``holy'' decision has been left to the Supreme Court.

Due for hearing early next month, it is now up to the highest judicial authority of the land to end this stalemate.

While the Union Tourism and Culture Ministry is firm in its decision to take the temple under its protective wings, it seems the people are equally determined to challenge the move.

``With the good intention of removing encroachments, the Central Government issued the preliminary notification in November 2002 giving notice of its intention to declare the Arunachaleshwarar temple a monument of national importance. Our Committee agrees with the avowed intention of removing the encroachments.

``However, the notification is misunderstood by the general public and seen as being against the religious sentiments and practice of the people,'' says R. Muthukumaraswamy, president of Arunchaleshwarar Temple.

``We feel that the objectives of the Ministry can be achieved without resorting to action on the basis of the notification,'' he adds. Though the Ministry continues to emphasise that the ASI will not interfere in the running of the temple, the devotees are not convinced.

``It will become a tourist spot. The ASI took over the temple at Thanjavur and now no devotee goes there. This is a very sacred temple and it will lose its popularity. All repairs have to be done according to the `shastras'. This the ASI might not agree with,'' said a devotee.

While the ASI protecting a ``living'' monument is not unusual, this is probably one of the few occasions when its claim has been challenged in this manner.

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