53 'sanyasins' of Sivagiri entitled to vote:Committee

Kochi, Aug 16 (UNI) The Justice K S Paripoornan committee, appointed by the supreme court, has held that 53 'sanyasins' are entitled to vote in the Sivagiri Sree Narayana Dharma Sangam Trust election.

The committee said in its report today that the decision of the advisory council that only 41 'sanyasins' were to be included in the final voters list and others are to be excluded is illegal, ultra vires and without jurisdiction.

The committee found that enrolment of 18 'sanyasins' as members of the trust was valid and legal. The 18 sanyasins were enrolled on December 22, 1995 and March eight, 1996. Tbe committee found that removal of these 18 members, properly admitted, cannot be justified.

It also said the suspension of six members on January 22, 2006 is to be ignored.

The committee stongly opined that a strict and high-power monitoring committee is required for the proper, efficient and fair functioning of the trust for at least a period of five to ten years.

The S N Dharma Sangam Trust, Varkala, was formed by the great social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The approximate value of the trust property at present would come to Rs 1000 crore.

Ever since the 'samadhi' of the Guru in 1928, there has been some kind of controversy in the administration of the trust. The Justice Paripoornan committee opined that "it is only a struggle for power and nothing else.'' The sanyasins had formed groups and were fighting each other. Trust members were frequently involved in litigation than to the propagation of the teachings of the Guru.

"This situation should change," the committee said.

The supreme court had appointed Justice Paripoornan as appropriate authority to resolve the disputes relating to voters list and supervise Trust election following the petition of Swamy Prakasanda.

The committee expressed the hope that by the conduct of election, the situation will change.

UNI XR ARC GK/DK1903