Nashik: Shri. Ashok Singhal, President of the VHP looking after its international matters said that temples should have their independent management system to stop their deteriorating condition. He was addressing a meeting of all India Mutt-Mandir Committee. Shri. Singhal gave examples of the present status of Dharma and various assaults borne by it. He said that Hindu Dharma has been attacked for thousands of years. But its position was never been as bad as it is today.
Temple trusts in South India are on the verge of being closed down. If the management is handed over to atheists, how long will temples trusts survive? We do not lack leaders as far as religious faith is concerned. But we need to be united. If ‘governmentalization’ of temples is prevented, we can arrest damage caused to Dharma and culture. In olden days, temple trusts used to operate schools, gou-shalas and wrestling schools and also carry out social activities. Therefore, there was unity amongst Hindus. All trusts of temples and Mahants (heads) of ‘akhadas’ should come together."
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar 1008 Mahant Shri. Sudheerdasji Maharaj while explaining the clauses of the proposed ‘Temple Take-over’ Act, said that the Government has included only Hindus, Jains and Sikhs and deliberately excluded places of worship of Muslims and Christians. The Government should realize that the donations of devotees belong to the masses and should remain in their hands.
Shri. Khemchandji Sharma of VHP said that present condition is the result of diminishing sense of duty and awareness towards Dharma and the Nation. We are workers of Hindu organizations and we are fighting for temples; but we do not go to temples regularly and if at all we go, we ask for some personal favours. We never pray for Dharma or for activities related to Dharma, therefore we do not succeed in our mission.
Pujya Swami Vishweshwaranandji Maharaj said that we need to undertake development activities to improve conditions of places of pilgrimage, as also fight the Temple take-over Act.
Pujya Swami Paramatmanandji Maharaj said that donations of Hindus should be used for Hindus. "A committee should be formed to train people on the methods of performing puja and persons learned in the field should be appointed to impart such training. All Hindu lawyers should come together and fight for the cause. Our people should be told about these Acts", said he.
Source: ‘Daily Sanatan Prabhat’
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>Temple Take over Act
