Let us fight to free every temple from Government control ! – Mr Sunil Ghanwat, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti

Maharashtra Temple-Trust Conference on the topic ‘Government control of the temples and associated conflict’

Jalgaon : The temples under Government control should be freed from the Government’s control and put under the control of devotees. Shriram temple is pious; however, there are 4 lakh more temples all over the country that are yet to be pious. Hence, let’s resolve to liberate all the temples controlled by the Government through this Temple Conference. For the temples to be free from Government control, as well as for the protection of each temple, there must be unity among the temple priests, trustees, temple members, advocates, etc. Other sects get education on their sect from religious leaders in their places of worship; but, Hindus are not given education on Dharma from the temples. A temple should be a centre of Shakti (Divine energy), a centre for devotion and a centre for education on Dharma. Devotees give donations to the temple out of devotion unto the Deity; hence, temple funds should not be used for development work for political gains. If there is a good organisation of temple trustees and members, 4 lakh temples across the country could be free from Government control. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti does not own any temple; however, every temple is a centre of Dharma for the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. Therefore, Organiser for the States of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Mr Sunil Ghanwat announced that we will fight to free every temple that has been under Government control. He was speaking on the second day of the Maharashtra Temple-Trust Conference on the topic ‘Government control of the temples and associated conflict’.

On this occasion, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Mahant Shri Sudhirdasji Maharaj of Shri Kalaram Mandira, President of Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Mandir Sanrakshak Kruti Samiti of Pandharpur Shri. Ganesh Lanke, Founder Member of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad H.H. (Adv.) Suresh Kulkarni and Chairman of Srikshetra Bhimashankar Sansthan at Pune Shri. Suresh Kaudare were present.

The development of temples is certain only when the management of the temples will be in the hands of devotees ! – Mahant Shri Sudhirdasji Maharaj, Shri Kalaram Temple, Nashik

Some individuals from the political and judiciary sectors are striving to get into the boards of trustees for getting importance. Temples are not for personal gain. Only when the management of the temples goes to the devotees, the development of the temples will be certain. God has a right to the wealth and gold and coins that are offered to Him. However, when there are legal suits pertaining to issues about temples, lakhs of Rupees from the temple wealth are spent on lawyers’ fees. This is not affordable in terms of temple management. If this is not prevented, the commotion in the temple management will increase. No one is greater than God. Activists of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti are traveling all over India for protection of temples by offering their body, mind and wealth. Thus, it is necessary for everyone to contribute to this work. Thus, asserted Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Mahant Shri Sudhirdasji Maharaj of Shri Kalaram Temple.

Shall plead in the Court for freeing Shri Vitthal-Rukmini from Government control ! – Mr Ganesh Lanke, President, Sri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Protection Action Committee’, Pandharpur

After the glory and prestige of a temple increases, the Government makes a plan to take over the temple. Internal strife between priests and trustees leads to the takeover of the temples by the Government; but even after the takeover of the temple by the Government, the problems of temples do not end. On the contrary, various scams have arisen in such temples. Therefore, under the guidance of BJP MP Dr Subrahmanyam Swamy, we are going to file a petition in the Bombay High Court, asserted the Chairman of the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini Temple Protection Action Committee at Pandharpur, Mr Ganesh Lanke.

Disputes in temples will be resolved if trustees trust each other ! – Advocate Suresh Kaudare, President, Shrikshetra Bhimashankar Sansthan, Pune

There are disputes between priests and trustees of temples. The controversy that arose in the Bhimashankar temple in the year 1980 continued for the next 20 years. The trustees of the temple came forward to settle the dispute amicably. In this way, if the trustees trust each other for the management of the temples, there will be no disputes, asserted Mr Suresh Kaudare.