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CHENNAI, INDIA, February 24, 2004: Christians are building a “japakootam,” prayer hall, just a few feet from the outside wall of the Kailasanathar Temple in Covalam, near Mahabalipuram, according to this News Today report. The temple contends the construction is illegal. This report says, “Interestingly, the construction of the japakootam began only after some Hindu volunteers began to involve the locals (mostly fishermen) in the functions of the temple. Just ten day ago, the volunteers had a function in which even the District Collector participated. The japakootam was not there then. In the land belonging to the temple, there are an estimated 36 houses/hutments. Out of these, four are said to be illegally occupied by Muslim families. The locals say these families cook and eat beef on the temple land itself. Apart from hurting the sentiments of the Hindus, the obnoxious odor emanating from the cooked items effectively drives the devotees out of the temple, one local said. Further, two of the houses are ‘owned’ by neo-converts to Christianity. The one-room japakootam is constructed by a neo-convert, who goes by the name Mohan. The locals fear the hand of a local church denomination behind the construction. The provocative construction and the illegal occupancy have come in the way of holding Utsavams that were planned by the religious minded locals and the very strong fishermen community. The Utsava Murthis (parade Deities) cannot be taken in procession around the parikrama (circumambulation path) because of the illegal occupants. When News Today broached the issue with the temple’s Executive Officer, Kothandaraman, he said the construction has been stopped. He also said that the complaints of the locals against the illegal occupancy would be looked into. The locals allege that the evangelical groups who are trying rampantly to convert the fisherfolk are not taking kindly to the efforts of the Hindu volunteers to involve the locals in the affairs of the temple. ‘This is the reason for their provocative action. They foment trouble and then try and build a case of persecution against them. This is a typical ploy,’ an angry local says.”

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