Report of seminar on ‘Is it right on the part of Govt. to take over temples ?’

Campaign should be undertaken at national level for stopping Government from taking over temples ! – Common feeling expressed by dignitaries during seminar   

Vidyadhiraj Hall, Ramnathi, Goa : Nation-wide movement should be staged to stop Government from taking over management of temples and to free temples already taken over by Governments; everyone should take active part in opposing malpractices taking place in managing temples from respective areas, was the general feeling expressed during Seminar held on the topic of ‘Is it right on Govt.’s part to take over temples?’. On the fourth day of the 8th All India Convention for the Hindu Rashtra, the above Seminar was held. Shri. Ramesh Shinde, national spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), Shri. Anil Dhir, General Secretary of ‘Bharat Raksha Manch’, Shri. Chetan Rajhans, national spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha, Shri. T. R. Ramesh, President, ‘Temple Worshipers’ Society’, Chennai and Mrs. Ritu Rathaur of ‘Hindu Charter’ participated in this Seminar. Shri. Chetan Rajhans, the spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha did compering of the program.

Indian Gazanis are presently looting temples ! – Shri. Ramesh Shinde

Earlier kings had constructed huge temples, not just from viewpoint of creating beautiful sites but mainly for generating spiritual energy. These temples are source of divine consciousness and therefore, invaders like Gazani attacked temples; looted and destroyed them. Presently however, Gazanis, who are not from outside but from India, are looting temples and corrupting them. Hence, Hindus need to stand up against trustees of temples and fight for freeing temples from their clutches.

Temples’ funds should be used for propagating 14 ‘Vidya’ and 64 ‘Kala’ of Hindus and ‘Yoga-vidya’; so also for doing good work like providing facilities to Saints, ‘Dharma-prasarak’ and managing ‘Gou-shalas’ etc. BJP was talking against Government’s taking over temples during election campaign in Karnataka while BJP Government in Maharashtra took over management of Shani-Shingnapur shrine. It shows double-standard of the Government. BJP should clarify its stand on taking over management of temples.

Archaeology Department is concerned only about Taj Mahal but not about any of the temples ! – Shri. Anil Dhir

The Government Archaeology Department is interested only in maintenance of Taj Mahal. Temples like Jagannath and Konark in Odisha State are under control of the Government but they are not being maintained in proper manner. Condition of these temples has worsened so much in last 50 years as compared to earlier 500 years. It has been observed that local residents took better care of these temples than the Government. It is the Government’s duty to maintain our culture.

Where do Hindus educate their children in matters related to Dharma? – Mrs. Ritu Rathaur, ‘Hindu Charter’

“The Government levies tax on temple money while mosques and churches are exempt of tax. As such, lots of funds are collected with them. There is no provision made anywhere for Hindus to learn matters related to their Dharma. ‘Dharmashikshan’ is not imparted either in schools or colleges. Where should Hindus go if they want to teach ‘Veda- shaastra’ to their children? It is injustice. Temples should therefore, be freed from clutches of Government, for propagating Dharma. Court has decided how much ‘Panchamrut’ should be offered on ‘Pindi’, kind of water to be used for ‘abhishek’ etc at Mahakaal Temple of Ujjain. Such kind of interference should be stopped.”

Legal fight is necessary against Government’s taking over temples ! – Shri. T. R. Ramesh, ‘Temple Worshipers’ Society, Chennai

Government is passing laws for taking over temples. There is, however, no provision in law for punishment in case of misappropriation of temples’ funds. As per verdict passed by Supreme Court in the year 1954, the Government cannot use even a single rupee of temple funds. Recently, Maharashtra Government had offered interest-free funds of Rs. 500 crores belonging to Shirdi shrine, for construction of a dam.  Granting such interest-free loans is causing loss of nearly Rs. 40 crores per annum to the Government towards interest.   Case can be filed against the concerned District Collector and other related officers under Section 405, 406, 408 and 409; as District Collector is required to take care that any institute/ organization run by the Government should not incur loss. We are giving legal fight in Tamil Nadu for release of temples taken over by that Government. Union Government needs to take stand on preservation of temple culture rather than taking over their management.