Fifth Day of the Ninth All-India Hindu Rashtra Convention

Webinar on ‘Temple Protection Campaign’

Separate Law needs to be passed for protection of temples’ lands and central autonomous ‘Dharmik Parishad’ should be set up ! – T. N. Murari, Shiv Sena’s State –Chief, Telangana

Temples’ assets are being looted through ‘Endowment Act’ in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Millions of acres of land has been lost and some land has been used by the Governments for their work. Politicians have a hold over temple committees. The Union Government should therefore, pass a law for protection of temple-lands by setting up a Central autonomous ‘Dharmik Parishad’. ‘Dharmacharyas’, ‘Mathadhipatis’, representatives of organizations working for protection of Dharma, scholars of ‘Dharma-shaastra’, temple-priests etc can be inducted as members of this Parishad so that State Governments’ interference would be stopped in temple management. The above suggestion was given by Shri. T. N. Murari, the State-Chief of Shiv Sena for Telangana while addressing the ninth ‘Online’ All India Hindu Rashtra Convention on 6th August 2020 on the topic of ‘Mandir Rakshan Abhiyan’.

Shri. Murari said further, “The Government has taken over management of 32000 temples under the guise of ‘Endowment Act’. Not even simple rituals like offering ‘dhoop-deep-naivedyam’ etc are performed in 27000 temples out of them. Maximum raids have been conducted by anti-corruption squads on this ‘Endowment’ Department. This Department tries to avoid giving any information even under ‘Right to Information (RTI)’ by giving some excuses. Hindu devotees make offerings in the temples with so much devotion; but the funds are not used for welfare of Hindus. Temples used to be the Centres of social living in ancient times; but foreign invasions attacked Hindu culture by destroying temples. It is unfortunate that during the post-independence period also, the Governments are taking over temple management and looting temple money.”

Ancient Mutts-temples are destroyed under the pretext of development of religious places !- Anil Dhir, national Secretary, ‘Bharat Raksha Manch, Odisha

Our ancient Mutts and temples are being destroyed under the pretext of development of religious places. Odisha Government demolished several ancient mutts and temples under its project of preparing a way for circumambulation around Jagannath-puri Temple as has been built at the Golden Temple. It resulted in destruction of hundreds of years old cultural, religious and historical legacy. What is happening there is not development but it is only beautification of the place. It is like converting a place of pilgrimage into a tourists’ place. It should be made compulsory to set up a local committee and obtain permission of local residents before taking up any project at religious places, stated Shri. Anil Dhir, the national Secretary of ‘Bharat Raksha Manch’ on 6th August while speaking on the topic of protection of temples during the on-line ninth all-India Hindu Rashtra Convention presently going on. He mainly spoke on the topic of the government’s conspiracy to grab lands belonging to mutts and temples at Jagannathpuri.

Other important points presented by Shri. Anil Dhir

Odisha Government destroyed big ancient mutts like Langodi, Mangu, Bada Aakhadaa etc paying no heed to Hindus’ protests; besides demolishing hundreds of small mutts. No documentation was done for properties belonging to these mutts. Moreover, the State Government made false allegation that anti-social activities were taking place at these places. The big ancient library of M R Mutt was also demolished during these activities. There were 35000 books in this library. Only 5000 books are left now after the action taken by the State Government while nobody has any clue on the whereabouts of remaining books. Such invaluable treasure has thus vanished. It may be mentioned here that the mutts demolished by the Government were looking after the religious rituals performed at Jagannath temple like one mutt used to provide flowers for Jagannath while another mutt used to provide medicines or ornaments etc.
Many ancient temples have been demolished even at Bhubaneswar and Varanasi by branding them as unauthorized constructions. Hindus’ ancient life style, culture, architecture etc is being destroyed through such activities; we had therefore, demanded intervention of the Union Government in these matters.

Temple committees should associate youth members with temple management!- Gajendra Bhargava, President, ‘Vanar-Sena’, Rajasthan

Give your two hours for temples and offer your skills and knowledge ! – Shri. Sanjay Sharma, ‘Eternal Hindu Foundation’, New Delhi

Dignitaries discuss the various types of attacks on temples, in a webinar on ‘Temple Protection’

Management of temples should be as per the earlier rules laid down by the then ruling kings for reviving past glory of ancient temples in Tamil Nadu ! – Uma Anandan, Vice President, ‘Temple Worshipers’ Society, Tamil Nadu

There were 58000 temples in the State of Tamil Nadu before the British came to India. Today, there are 48000 temples on Government’s records. What happened to the remaining temples? All temples were built by the earlier kings ruling Tamil Nadu. These temples are very rich. The earlier kings have laid down rules on issues like who would manage these temples; what qualities are required in a person looking after management of temples or how much salary should be paid to temple-priest etc. If temples are managed as per the rules made by these kings, there would be no need for Tamil Nadu Government to manage the temples, stated Smt. Uma Anandan, the Vice President of ‘Temple Worshippers’ Society’ while addressing a seminar conducted on the fifth day of ‘Online’ 9th All India Hindu Rashtra Convention. She spoke on the topic of protection of temples.

Govt should declare ancient temples as ‘Cultural Heritaeg’ : Shri. B K S R Iyengar, Historian

Movement undertaken by HJS against corruption in temples managed by Maharashtra Government !
– Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, State Coordinator, HJS for Maharashtra and Chhattisgad

Govt. takes over temples to have control over them but who will have control over such Government?
– Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, national President, Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad