Navi Mumbai: After emptying their coffers owing to corruption and malpractices, the Congress front Government has now turned its evil eye on the funds collected at temples and it is now readying itself to take over all temples and religious institutions in the State. As per the recommendations of 15th Law Commission, the Government is planning to pass an Act to take over management of about half a million temples and religious institutions in the State. Under the aegis of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), a State-wide campaign has been started by bringing together all the religious institutions and temple-trusts to protest against the 15th Law Commission. The above information was given by Dr. Durgesh Samant, the all-India spokesperson of HJS in a press conference held at Jhulelal temple in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
The Government took over management of Sree Vitthal Mandir at Pandharpur in 1973, Sree Siddhivinayak Mandir at Prabhadevi, Mumbai in 1980 and Sree Sai Baba Mandir at Shirdi in 2004 by passing different Acts. Thus the Government has already taken over management of all wealthy temples and is now planning to have control over all temples in the State under the proposed Act. The ‘secular’ Congress front Government has extended special favors to Islamic institutions, all mosques, durgahs and madarassas that are registered with the Wakf Board and excluded them from the purview of the proposed Act. Putting forth the reason of mismanagement of funds, the State Government has proposed the said Act. But the malpractices in managing Sree Siddhivinayak funds under the control of the State are known to all. The Government Trust managing Sree Siddhivinayak temple has donated money, running into crores, to the institutions run by politicians, held conferences in seven star hotels and has played with the faith and devotion of people. For the past 30 weeks, HJS has been holding demonstrations outside Sree Siddhivinayak temple on every Tuesday.
The State of Karnataka too had tried to have control over all Hindu temples and manage the funds but the High Court annulled the same as it was against the basic rights of people conferred by the Indian Constitution. But the Maharashtra Government has not learnt a lesson and going ahead with its ploy. HJS has therefore, started to unite all trustees of temples and religious institutions. It is mentioned in HJS’s letter that agitations will be started all over the state.
Temple trustees strong resolve to oppose the Temple takeover Act
Jalgaon: The Government has made all preparations to have held over all the temples in the State under the proposed Temple takeover Act. In the meeting held by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, it was resolved to start strong agitation against the proposed Act.
The meeting was attended by 150 trustees of the local temples. The meeting was presided over by H. Mangesh Maharaj. It was decided to oppose the proposed Act through various mediums like performing ‘Maha-Aarati’, take out protest marches, giving representation to the elected representatives, hold meetings in every corner of the city to make people aware of the proposed Act.
