Mumbai: A meeting was organized for opposing the Act proposed by the Government for taking over management of temples and religious institutions in the State. Shri. Ramesh Shinde, the spokesperson of Hindi Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) for the State of Maharashtra said in his address that under the guise of strengthening of management, the Congress-led Government is planning to capture funds and properties belonging to temples. Similar Acts have been passed in the States of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. But like Karnataka State where 900 trustees came together, if all trustees unite even in Maharashtra, it will become difficult for the Govt. to pass the said Act.
Shri. Shinde said that before the 15th law Commission even the 13th law Commission had made a plan to take over temples; but due to opposition, the Act could not be passed. As a matter of fact, there have been incidents of malpractices with funds of temples under the management of Govt. like in case of Sree Siddhivinayak as also at Shirdi and Pandharpur temples. When there is corruption in every field, how can the Govt. offer clean management to temples? How can we hand over our temples in the hands of such corrupt Govt.?
There was a demand by trustees to initiate a strong campaign against the proposed Act. It was decided by all Trustees to issue a letter on the letterhead of their respective trusts to the Chief Minister and principal Secretary of the State. Some of the trustees even offered to extend financial help to spread the campaign all over the State. Trustees of many temples participated in the meeting.
Source: ‘Dainik Sanatan Prabhat’
