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KERALA, INDIA, February 5, 2005: In the aftermath of the tsunami, victims who lost their homes as well as the means of their livelihood (fishing nets & boats), have been caught in the middle of a dispute between supporting factions. The Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India have both offered to provide funds to build the 3,000 demolished homes. The news release says, “The Mutt had proposed to construct two-storey homes with a bedroom on the upper floor and two below. The Government shot down the idea, saying its plan was not tsunami-safe. Instead, it asked the Mutt to go for a smaller, single-storey version.” Besides the stipulations by the government, the article points out that Hindu organizations that have a substantial say along many stretches of Kerala’s coasts, including the Hindu Aikyavedi and the All Kerala Dheevara Sabha, have upped the ante. They have issued a public statement that Hindu tsunami victims will refuse homes given to them unless built by the Mutt or government. Finally as the issue escalated Revenue Minister K. M. Mani said, “The Mutt will be allowed to build 1,300 homes. The church denominations, between them, have been permitted to build 1,200, mostly in areas dominated by their community, and the NGOs have to do with 500.” More than 33 agencies are wanting to rebuild the homes but only a few want to buy fishing boats and nets and provide other services. A bureaucrat explains, “Houses last long as great charity symbols. Services and other things don’t get much mileage.”



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