April 19, 2007
By HJS team

Mumbai: The State Government’s 15th Law Commission has proposed the ‘Temple and Religious Organisations (Administration and Regulation) Act 2006’, which excludes Dargahs, Masjids and Madarasas falling under the jurisdiction of the Waqf Board but exerts Government’s control over the 4 lacs 50 thousand temples and religious trusts belonging to Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Parsees. Similarly, under the pretext of eradicating blind faith, the State Government is attempting to eradicate faith through the ‘Maharashtra Eradication of Black Magic & Evil & sinister (Aghori) Practices Regulation 2005’ (Anti Superstition Act), which is awaiting approval of the Legislative Council.

Temples and faith are energy centres of the Hindu Dharma. The importance of temples in society is similar to that attached to the temple in one’s house. However the present ‘secular’ government is making attempts to destroy these pillars of strength of the Hindu religion by enforcing anti-religious laws. The State Government characterised by corruption and mal-administration is making a plot to takeover temples and religious institutions under the pretext of them being mismanaged! As per the proposed Act, 4,50,000 temples and religious trusts of Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Parsees will come under Government control. Also, an amount of 8% of the temple funds (income) will have to be given to the Charity Commissioner’s office as against the existing 2% and the State Government will exercise absolute control over the use of temple funds.

The HJS has launched a statewide agitation in the form of demonstrations, street marches, hunger strikes, etc. to protest against these dreadful Acts, which threaten the very existence of the Hindu religion. This agitation has received widespread support from the public and is growing stronger day by day. The temple trustees of Maharashtra are coming together to oppose the Temple Takeover Act. A ‘Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’ (Maharashtra Mandir Federation) is going to be established to form their association.

In order to create mass awareness about the agitations against both the said Acts, the HJS has organised a public meeting on the 20th April 2007 at Nare Park Maidan, Parel at 6.30 pm. The meeting will be addressed by honorable personalities like Shri. Ramdas Kadam (Leader of Opposition); Swami Govindadevagiri Maharaj (Acharya Kishorji Vyas); Shri. Diwakar Raote (Shiv Sena leader); Shri. Mangalprabhat Lodha (BJP MLA); H.B.P. Rameshwar Maharaj Shastri (Warkari Prabhodhan Mahasamiti); Shri. Praveen Kanvinde (Trustee, Bhuleshwar Temple); Shri. Chanchal Chaudhary (Tulsidas Gopalji Trust); Dr. Durgesh Samant, National Spokesperson, HJS. Other honorable personalities shall also be present at the meeting.

Related HJS campaign
> Anti faith Bill
> Temple in danger