Sri Padmanabha Swamy: Royal Family, royal smugglers?

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 21: Headline grabber opposition leader of Kerala , VS Achuthanadan accused the Royal family of Travancore, Marthanda Varma of smuggling precious articles from the Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple.

"Don't you know that Marthanda Varma goes to the temple everyday," said Achuthanandan.

"When he returns he carries a tiffin box. The general perception is that he brings the 'payasam'. But it is not that. Instead, it is jewels."

"I was told these things by one of the former temple priests, who lost his job after he found out these things," said Achuthanandan. "At one point this priest's life was also in danger. All these things he has told me."

Achuthanadan also said that the royal family were spreading fables across that dire consequences would befall if the temples B vault was opened.

The news came after the royal family moved the supreme court against opening the B vault.

"Now they are trying to say baseless things that vault B should not be opened. When Varma opened the vault did anything happen?" said Achuthanandan.

"It is your role to expose the 'double role' of Varma, who is trying to use the findings of the recently held devaprasnam to override the apex court ruling," he said.

"There have been two court rulings that after India achieved independence, there are no kingdoms," Achuthanandan said. "Instead, democratically elected governments that run the affairs of the state."

Rama Varma in his application asked that the vault B not be opened as it would only hurt the sentiments of the devotees. The application also said that opening of five other vaults in the temple especially vault-A would add to the threat of the temple's security and opening vault-B would only double the chances.

OneIndia News