<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->hey not far from Jpuri<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Bhootnath,
Oh you live near my neck of wood <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> Hope to meet you soon.
SATURDAY, JULY 17, LUCKNOW: In what appears to be taking over administrative control of bigger temples, including disputed shrines of Ayodhya and Mathura, the Uttar Pradesh government plans to take appointment of priests/heads of temples in its hands and bring them under the purview of the state audit.
In a government order dated June 28, 2004, the Mulayam Singh government has directed all the 70 DMs to furnish details about temples having an annual income of Rs 1 lakh and more.
"Bring all such temples under the purview of the audit and make rules for the appointment of priests and heads of temples by fixing a minimum educational qualification for their appointment," the order issued by Kanshi Ram, special secretary, religious endowment, said.
<b>There are over 350 temples in the state which have an annual income of more than one lakh. However, some of them earn several lakhs. The most famous among them are the makeshift Ram Lala Temple at Ayodhya, Hanumangarhi, Vindhyawasini in Mirzapur, Krishna Janamsthan shrine at Mathura and Kali temple in Lucknow. </b>
Although there are provisions in the Charitable Religious Endowment Act, 1890 (Act 6 of 1890) that the government can interfere in the administration of any religious site, whenever such attempts were made they were strongly resisted by pro-Hindu bodies.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2004 01:46:14 PM ]
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala may be God's Own country but Lord Parasurama will have no statue.
Tourism Minister P Sankaran had announced recently that the tourism department mooted to set up one giant Parasurama image in stone at the famed Kovalam beach to attract tourists. <b>He was under fire by communists who claimed that such a work would only encourage the legend that has no historical backing</b>. <!--emo&:thumbdown--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbsdownsmileyanim.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='thumbsdownsmileyanim.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Parasurama, the legendary founder of Kerala, is believed to have carved Kerala out of Arabian Sea by flinging his axe across the ocean.
The minister has, in a written reply, said on Tuesday the department had not taken a decision to this effect. It is as good as dropped, he hinted.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--> Writer sued for 'defiling' idol
A retired Indian police officer has begun legal proceedings against a Bengali writer accusing him of defiling a Hindu goddess.
<b>Author Sunil Gangopadhyay was quoted in a newspaper saying that he was sexually aroused by an idol of the Hindu goddess of learning, Saraswati.</b>
Retired policeman Bhibhuti Bhusan Nandy has sued Gangopadhyay saying that he hurt his religious sentiments.
Gangopadhyay is Bengal's best known poet and novelist with over 250 books.
<b>The 71-year-old writer was quoted in the Anandabazar Patrika newspaper as saying he had kissed an idol of Saraswati to satisfy his desire.</b>
Mr Nandy, a former chief of border police, said in a complaint to the police that Gangopadhyay's comments had defiled a goddess who is worshipped by Hindus.
Saraswati is regarded as the goddess of knowledge and the arts.
Controversial
The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta says Gangopadhyay is no stranger to such controversies.
<b>Two years ago there were demonstrations outside a newspaper office in Calcutta after he wrote about the sex life of Indian spiritual leader Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
Last year, the Bangladesh government banned an issue of an Indian magazine which carried a story by Gangopadhyay where he wrote about the sex life of the Prophet Muhammad.</b>
A prolific writer, Gangopadhyay has authored novels, short-stories, poems and travelogues in a 54-year-long writing career.
<b>He won India's most prestigious literary award Saraswati Samman </b><!--emo&:o--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='ohmy.gif' /><!--endemo--> for his acclaimed 1996 novel Pratham Alo (First Light), the story of a young man during the country's freedom struggle. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Poetic license puts another Ganguli's head on the chopping block
Saugar Sengupta/ Kolkata
Clawed by the Emergency, a rhymester of considerable inconsequence in Bihar had likened the "hypocrites" who saw a "mother" in Bharat Mata to King Oedipus before being bumped off by some invisible hands. Almost three decades down the line another litterateur of national repute has been hauled up by a retired IPS officer for admitting the "vice" in a rather sophisticated patois hammering home the magnanimity and softness alike of Hindu deities so to say.
The 'confessor' is the top author and this year's recipient of Sarswati Samman, Sunil Gangopadhyay (Ganguli) who allegedly wrote in an autobiographical work Ardhek Jivon about his first encounter with the Mother at a Saraswati Puja when he imagined the deity in nude and gave shape to his desires; the top cop is BB Nandi, former Director General of the ITBP and the generous deity is none other than goddess of learning Saraswati herself.
Mr Gangopadhyay himself however, 'fluttered' to come out of the controversy a day after Mr Nandi lodged an FIR with the South 24 Parganas police under Sections 295, 295A of the Indian Penal Code and suggested, "As Hindus we have a tradition of cracking jokes at Gods and Goddesses ... I only depicted my feelings and so this should not be taken seriously ... I am upset that some light remarks have hurt the feelings of some people."
However, disallowing the proposition that it fell within Mr Gangopadhyay's birthright to dismiss "common man's faith as an element of joke," an uncompromising Mr Nandi said, howsoever big writer he is Mr Gangopadhyay has no right to hurt religious sentiments.
"The author who has earned his bread and butter through the blessings of the Goddess has not only defiled her but also depicted her as an object of sexual desire," he added.
To Mr Gangopadhyay's apology that "I had only depicted in the book what I felt at the threshold of puberty," Mr Nandi shot back, "This can happen only with the Hindus where one is allowed to depict their fantasy with one's mother... this can be lauded by some hybrid culture of the West and not at all the right-thinking Indians."
The book was written a couple of years ago but the relevant section was quoted in a Bengali daily after Mr Gangopadhyay referred to it while receiving the Saraswati Samman.
In what could provide some additional fodder to the saffron brigade, Mr Nandi threw a poser apparently to the powers that be, "if providing permanent visa to a progressive writer like Taslima Nasreen or for that matter allowing sections of her write-ups now banned in India to go uncensored can hurt the religious sentiments of a certain community, why can't such trash written by Bengali author Mr Gangopadhyay be banned... is it only because Hindus are the softest of targets." <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It sounds incredible, but it is true. Can anyone believe that there
may be some villages in India specially in Uttaranchal where Hindus
are not allowed to celebrate their most favourite festival, Holi.
Yes, there are about 10 such villages in Haridwar district, which is
called the holiest place of Uttaranchal.
Talking to Organiser Shri Matbar Singh Kandari, Leader of Opposition
in Uttaranchal assembly, said that villagers in more than 10 villages
of Haridwar district had not been allowed to celebrate Holi for
several years. Shri Kandari said that this year he, as a chief guest,
was invited to celebrate Holi in a village named Ghissu Pura by a BJP
worker who himself is a Muslim. "When I was going to the village to
attend the festival, the police stopped me in the way," he said. The
village Pradhan Moh. Shamshad had invited him to celebrate Holi. He
was also invited to visit a madarsa after the celebration. When the
police stopped him without any reason, he told the police that he was
going to celebrate Holi with the villagers of Ghissu Pura and it
would be celebrated peacefully. But the police did not allow him to
enter the village.
Then Shri Kandari appealed to the police to come with him to the
village but the police tried to take him into custody. When he asked
the police about his offence and the reason why he was not being
allowed to enter the village, the police were unable to advance any
reason. When the police started dragging Kandari, he lay on the road
and told the police that he would continue lying on the road till he
was allowed to go to the village. He expressed his determination that
he would go to the village and not to the rest house at any cost.
This news spread like fire and activists of BJP, Bajrang Dal,
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and a local BJP MLA, Madan Kaushik and a
huge crowd of villagers reached the spot. Witnessing the increasing
crowd, the police and PAC fired about 100 rounds in the air. The
crowd in reaction started pelting stones. This resulted into wounds
and injuries to about 100 people. The police then arrested Shri
Kandari and other agitators and kept them in Shri Ram Ashram. Shri
Kandari remained on hunger strike in protest against the illegal and
undemocratic action of the police.
Talking to Organiser Shri Kandari expressed intense resentment and
regret for not being allowed the Hindus to burn Holi according to
their traditions. He said that there was not any law in the country
that prevents Hindus from celebrating their festivals. He said that
atrocities on Hindus were increasing day by day under the misrule of
the Congress government. He asserted that this issue would be raised
in the state Assembly and the Chief Minister would be asked why Hindu
could not celebrate their festivals.
The police also beat up women activists who were staging a dharna
near the heap of Holika, demanding the permission of burning it
according to Hindu tradition. Several women were wounded due to
lathicharge by the police.
Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, state BJP president, has condemned the
action of the police and warned of a statewide massive agitation
against the state government. He said that preventing Hindus from
celebrating Holi was an insult.
<b>HC vindicates Amarnath Board stand </b>
Mohit Khandari/ Jammu
In a landmark judgment, Jammu and Kashmir High court on Friday asked the state Government to respect the decisions of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
On a petition filed by Mr Ram Pal Bathonia,Mr Justice Permod Kohli in his judgement Friday said that "Any interference by the State in the manner alleged by the petitioner and complained by the Board in its reply is nothing but violation of Articles 25 and 26 of Constitution of India."' <b>As for accommodation with pre-fabricated sheds, making provision for sanitation which include the construction of toilets and bath rooms, steps to generate electricity are within the exclusive domain of the Board. The Board has also right to take effective steps for the welfare of yatris.</b>
On registration, the Judge agreed to the mode proposed by the SASB for providing advance registration facility through internet, post offices and banks. Judge said there had to be provision for registration at various other places for larger sections of the people who are not in a position to avail the advance registration through advanced technology. <b>The Board has proposed that on-the-spot registration at Vaishnavi Dham, Jammu, Srinagar, Pahalgam and Baltal. The Judge also proposed the registration to be done at Delhi Udhampur and Anantnag to be controlled by Jammu Office at Vaishnavi Dham where there is adequate infrastructure.</b>
The judgment also dwells on the number of pilgrims and duration of the yatra and says "If the Board feels and takes a conscious decision on objective considerations the period of yatra should be extended to two months as proposed last year and the State should not object to it. The judgement vindicates the stand of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, which was not allowed to function as per the provisos of the Act last year. In fact, the last year's controversy over the pilgrimage had brought the Raj Bhavan and Jammu and Kashmir Government at loggerheads.
As the controversy deepened creating unrest among thousands of pilgrims across the country, <b>it was agreed that the Governor as Chairman of the SASB should perform Pratham Pujan 60 days before the scheduled date for beginning of the yatra. This was duly done. In a PIL, a petition had also been made to the High Court for seeking orders to restrain the Jammu and Kashmir Government not to subvert the spirit of SASB.</b> Last year, the Board had not been allowed to raise facilities for pilgrims thronging from various parts of the country. <b>And the State Police detained workers of the Board proceeding to Baltal to construct temporary shelters</b>.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->SOUTH ASIAN NEWS-FEATURE SERVICE
Kolkata,April 7,2005
Taslima elated by new challenge to Sunil, alleges âdouble standardâ
By Sarbari Bhaumik in Kolkata
SAN-Feature Service: The criminal case filed by retired police officer Bibhuti Bhusan Nandy against popular writer Sunil Gangopadhyay for âhighly objectionable referencesâ on  Goddess Saraswati has elated controversial Bangladesh writer Taslima Nasrin, now in Kolkata  .
The exiled Bangladesh writer is here to push her case for Indian citizenship.
"He (Sunil) sits on a government committee that bans my book because it upsets Islamic sentiments. And now he writes all these obscene stuff . What double standards," said Taslima Nasreen who was once supported by Sunil but later many leading Indian writers including Sunil opposed Taslima strongly .
Complainant Nandy who retired from Indian Police Service as the director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police after spending twenty years in intelligence agencies, lodged the complain against the writer for âsome highly objectionable referencesâ in his autobiography "Ardhek Jiban"Âhalf Life .The write up was recently reproduced by a Kolkata daily  .
"Sunil has the audacity to write in his autobiography that as a teenager, he was sexually aroused by the Saraswati idol, that he fondled the breasts of the idol and even kissed it. This man is a pervert and he has seriously offended my sentiments as a Hindu who worships Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning," said Nandi , as he filed the case under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code.
"I have filed the complaint with the police and it is mandatory on their part to take action. But I know Sunil is close to chief minister . But I know the law and if the police sits on my complaint and do not register a case and take action, I will drag Sunil to court," Nandi told journalists after filing the complaint.
The Jadavpur police station earlier refused to accept the complaint and register a case.
"They did not take my FIR . The OC told me he has to run the police station on practical considerations, so I went to the SP of the South 24 Parganas district and he took my complaint," said Nandi, who  also served as National Security Adviser in Mauritius and  earlier in the Indian High Commission in Dhaka .
But Sunil Gangopadhyay said he had only written about his feelings as a teenager .
"I wrote about how I felt as a teenager when I saw the naked idol of Saraswati . That was the first time I was aroused as a man. But Bengali Hindus have a liberal tradition and we can poke fun at our Gods and Goddess. I dont know why Nandi is so upset, I did not write to offend anyone," said the writer .
He also accussed Nandi of seeking cheap publicity, to which the retired police and intelligence official reacted furiously.
" I worship Saraswati because I value learning. Here in Bengal, the Communists try to ban the Saraswati Bandana and now Sunil has such audacity that he defiles the Goddess we hold sacred," Nandi said.
"And I have been an intelligence officer for more than twenty years. We avoid publicity. It is cheap stuntmen like Sunil who seek publicity all the time," said Nandi.
Sunil is not new to such controversies. The Ananda Bazar office , where he works, was gheraoed two years ago when Sunil made explicit sexual references about Bengal's great spiritual leader Ramkrishna Paramhansa. He also faced demonstrations when he referred to Goddess Kali as "Nangto Saothal Magi" (naked Santhal woman).
Nandy's action has been welcome by many who feel strongly about his arrogance.
" What does he think he is, " said government official P P Kar." He is a debauch and he sees woman as a commodity," said feminist Gargi Dutta.
But host of writers have defended him , though some say he could be less obscene.-SAN-Feature Service<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Following is the mail I sent to Pujya Swamiji praying for action as the convenor of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha/ Namaste/ xyz1234---
Parama Pujya Sri Dayananda Saraswati Swami ji,
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Satha Sahasra Padabhivandanamulu.  By your Divine Blessings, we are carrying out the good work here in Chennai, ordained by our Dharma. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Swami ji, I have been watching with great concern, a grand strategy to ruin the stability of Hindu Temples and Institutions by Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the converted christian chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. I wish to cite certain important items:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->It is already a known fact that YSR has given the management of mid-day-meal scheme in government aided schools to christian NGOs. This facilitates the NGOs to convert children at will. <b>The poor children today get their meal only after they recite - Yesu Nama</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Takeover of TTD by the sonia cronies: The Board has been filled up to include people who are sympathisers of christians. Take for instance T Subbirami Reddy, the Chairman of the Board is better known for his annual alcohol/women extravaganzas for the Page 3 crowd than for his Bhakti to the Bhagawan Venkateshwara. Though the TTD Laws are strict in paper on the importance of morals and character as parameters while choosing the members, it is very much a bunch of villians who land up into the Board as they have become political tools in the hands of the rulers of the day. Recent addition to the TTD Board is a member connected to Sagar Films who approached me a few months ago to discuss content plan and develop a programme module for devotional TV channel for Andhra CM, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's brother. I told him bluntly that if I have to associate myself with this team, there should be absolutely no intereference from the owner and also refused point blank to include christian and muslim devotional programmes in the content plan. I told them that I consider christian proselytizers as my enemy no.1 and cannot work for them. During our discussion, I learnt from Sagar that he would soon be inducted into the TTD Board and that money would not be a problem as the CM is behind it. I refused to discuss and walked out of the meeting.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Today, this person is a honourable member of the TTD Board. And as I suspected, certain christian organizations have come forward to help YSRs brother with his devotional channel.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
TTD's present EO, I am very sure, cannot even recite Sri.Venkateswara Suprabhatham, or for that matter doesn't know the Sthalapuranam of Tirumala. His job is to deliver to his political master, the christian CM. Most of the members are known womanizers and drunkards, a gross violation of appointment rules should one has to stick to the letter and spirit of the TTD manual. They have stuck to the 'spirit' while the letter languishes in the dustbin.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->TTD's Former- Executive Officer was 'ordered' by YSR to release Rs. 6 crores (during his tenure) to TUDA (Tirupati UrbanDevelopment Authority) as arrears for property taxes and the same day, by some sheer coincedence, TUDA has diverted this very money to <b>develop Idgah Maidan for muslim 'brothers' on Sri Venkateshwara University site!! </b> <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sri Satyanarayana Rao, the endowment minister in AP has been objecting to certain diversionary methods of the CM and is being targetted and insulted at the behest of YSR at every official function by the subordinates and fellow ministers, because he has become very vocal on our Religious institutions being mismanaged by officials and the christian coterie.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Latest, Swami ji, is about two news items in today's Eenadu, Telugu newspaper. One is about TTD building guest houses on state and national highways. I wonder when TTD has become a facilitator for the comforts of the government officials, ministers who are the most likely beneficiaries of these rest houses. <b> The idea is to vaporize the available funds through these and create immoral centres for these political goons on each State and National highway, even if it does not lead the pious to the Mandir.</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not a paisa is being given for Temple protection or for renovation of dilapidated Temples in AP of which there is no dearth.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Second and more distressing news is about <b>handing over, to begin with, the Panyaram procurement to none less than a Kochi Christian</b>. The Panyaram includes the cashew, dry fruits, tamarind, sugar, Jaggery etc that go into making the Laddu and other Prasadams of the Bhagawan (Annual consumption: Rs. 20 crores plus) "J.R.G. WEALTH MANAGEMENT LIMITED" is the name of thecompany that has been accorded the contract by the YSR government and the TTD Endowment Board. <b>The Managing Director of this company is one G.B.Mathew!! This organization is based in Kochi and will now have a Terminal at the Holy Mandir of Lord Venkateshwara to do the speculation in commodity marketing and earn hefty commissions by booking 'losses', a sure way to drain precious resources, while earning money for gaining neo-converts by quoting Mathew, Luke and John</b><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Using this system one can block commodities at any price for upto 6 months. This is pure speculation and good only for speculators and punters. I can foresee, huge losses not even questionable by any audit. I am also convinced that as per the bible that this guy follows, 10% of the moneys earned would go to help converting innocent and poor Hindus to the faulty faith of christianity. Does a single Hindu Institution benefit from a christian or muslim religious organisation? Next, I am afraid YSR would call in some Tom, Dick and Harry from Mumbai or from the Southern Baptist Church and entrust them with "wealth management" job of investing TTD's funds in the share market to ensure speed in draining the Hundi. The new procurement system will replace the existing annual tender system.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Pujya Swami ji, I bring this to Your Divine attention with a prayer that the Acharya Sabha should demand an explanation from Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and ask him to abandon such <b>anti-Hindu policies using our Mandir money</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Uttaranchal Law to takeover temples and shrines would be anti-Hindu
and anti- secular
The attached letter to the Chief Minister of Uttaranchal is in response to
their proposal to take over shrines and temples. This is an issue of
serious concern to every Hindu and nationalist.
Nationalization and state control of the places of religious worship and
their estates cuts at the very roots of the fundamental principles of
secularism which dictates the separation of state and religion.
Assigning such jurisdiction to an autonomous Hindu community Board would
be the most appropriate instrument for guidance and governance of shrines
and temples to satisfy public and government concerns, if any, on
management - the age old practice without the governmental dictates and as
followed by other religious communities.
The proposed Act can be termed not only as "anti-Hindu" but also
"anti-national" for Hinduism is the single most important unifying factor
in India's body politic.
Please circulate the attached letter. You may also send your comments to
the following
Chief Minister, Uttaranchal (UA) cmua@ua.nic.in
Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari
Governor, Uttaranchal (UA) governor@ua.nic.in
Shri Sudershan Agawal
Prime Minister, New Delhi manmohan@sansad.nic.in
President of India pressecy@alpha.nic.in
(presss secretary)
Shri L.K . Advani, BJP advanilk@sansad.nic.in
BJP, New Delhi bjpco@del3.vsnl.net.in
VHP, New Delhi jaishriram@vsnl.in, jaishriram@vichaar.net,.
Thanks
Krishan Bhatnagar
Note: The first and last paragraphs form the basic summary of the
presentation. These may be used for your comments or letters to persons
above.
==============================================
Letter to Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari, Chief Minister,
Uttaranchal
Subject: Law to takeover the Hindu shrines, temples and their estates
would be anti-Hindu, violative of Constitution -- and of Nehruvian ideals
of secularism.
Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Tiwari ji,
We are deeply dismayed by your government's plans to promulgate a new
though unconstitutional law with intent to nationalize the management of
the Hindu shrines and temples in Uttaranchal (attachment A). It is a
matter of serious public concern that Hindu religious places should be
unilaterally brought under government control particularly in a Congress
ruled state despite the party's professed adherence to the principles of
secularism. The doctrine of nationalization and state control of the
places of religious worship and their estates cuts at the very roots of
the fundamental principles of secularism which dictates the separation of
state and religion. Assigning such jurisdiction to an autonomous Hindu
community Board could be the most appropriate instrument for guidance and
governance of shrines and temples to satisfy public and government
concerns, if any, on management - the age old practice without the
governmental dictates and as followed by other religious communities.
For any potential allegations of mismanagement, scores of legal avenues
are available to the aggrieved parties- a practice followed by other
religionists' shrines and business organizations. Under such scenario,
the appropriate judicial authorities may appoint auditors and make
specific recommendations for transparency and accountability but without
clamping down government control upon the religious entities. Further,
enforcing such a draconian law only upon the shrines of the majority
community is highly discriminatory and out right unconstitutional.
If the intention of the Act is to rationalize operation and maintenance of
shrines, an autonomous Hindu body composed of the devotee public, pujaris
and Hindu religious leaders, represented by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha
(HDAS) should be formed for running the management according to the
wishes of devotees and donors, who have supported these institutions since
ancient times. There are other dharmik aspects also, e.g. sewa and dharma
prachar that only an NGO could pursue - again the practice in vogue in
other religious organizations.
Our contention encompasses the legal and philosophical commitment of the
secular Indian State - that the management and administration of the
religious institutions, their estates and places of worship, must reside
in the hands of the representative bodies of the believers. This proposed
Act should be viewed in the context of its application to similar
institutions of other religious formations. For instance: How would Sikhs
(Golden temple), Muslims (Jama Masjid) or Christians react to Govt.
control of their places of worship? Frankly this whole issue could ignite
the communal volcano setting the entire country on fire particularly the
state of its origin.
Before the state government attempts to impose this highly questionable
and provocative law here are some of the basic questions it must ponder
upon. What authority, background and special training the government
operatives posses for controlling every aspect of the cultural centers of
Hindus when the concept of secularism - neutrality towards religions - is
enshrined in the Indian constitution? Why not allow autonomous Hindu
boards to govern temples under the guidance of religious leaders, just as
it is permissible in the case of other religions? The Waqf Board of
Muslims and the management of Christian churches and religious
institutions have vast funds, properties and endowments, in addition to
the immense flow of foreign funds - yet their independence and autonomy is
left intact !
The state authorities must realize that under the provisions of the Indian
constitution discriminating, managing, reforming or patronizing religions
is completely and fully out side the scope of the government in office.
Sir, may we suggest that the representatives of shrines, temples, Hindu
community and religious leaders from Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, etc. be
motivated to convene an assembly where they could be asked to take charge
of clearly defining the new legal framework for the community governance
of the religious places. Such an approach among other things could make
the Board completely autonomous and thereby responsible for the entire
administration including planning, executing, auditing, guiding,
investigating and taking corrective steps on allegations and or complaints
as and when needed.
Hon'ble Chief Minister, may we request that rather than taking over the
religious places, you exercise your leadership in motivating the Hindu
community develop necessary organizational infrastructure in order to
assume the charge of managing the Hindu shrines, temples and their estates
in a legal, democratic and transparent manner. On the other hand, any
violation or erosion of community's freedom for managing the places of
religious importance and imposition of government dictates is fraught with
serious consequences. Such an intrusion by the government authority in
otherwise an autonomous domain has a potential to generate a chain of
serious consequences including the charge against the state for
dismantling Hinduism. Consequently, the proposed Act will be termed not
only as "anti-Hindu" but also "anti-national" for Hinduism is the single
most important unifying factor in India's body politic.
With best wishes and looking forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jagan Kaul April 25, 2005
Krishan Bhatnagar
Hindu Jagran Forum (Maryland, USA)
email: krishan.kb@verizon.net
=========================================
Attachment A
Threat to thwart opening of hill shrines
The Hindu; April 9, 2005
DEHRA DUN, APRIL 8. The Char Dham Teerth Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has
threatened to not allow reopening of the doors of the Badrinath,
Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines if the Government does not drop
the move to bring about an Act to regulate the management of the shrines
and temples in Uttaranchal.
Describing the move as an attempt by the Government to convert the shrines
into revenue earning centres, the Samiti president, Ashok Semwal, accused
politicians and bureaucrats of trying to assume powers that could be used
to threaten the priests and Temple Committees that refused to obey their
dictats.
A Government spokesman, however, said that the fears of the various
samitis were baseless as the proposed Act aimed at regulating the
management of the shrines and developing the areas around them without
interfering into their routine functioning or the rights, traditions or
privileges of the local priests or population.
KERALA, INDIA, April 21, 2005: The Supreme Court here ruled that
managing temples <b>"primarily is a secular act." </b>The ruling came on a
petition seeking to exclude "Hindu" ministers of the erstwhile Left
Front (Marxist) government in Kerala from the managing committee of the Guruvayoor temple, one of the richest shrines in the state. The court today said a state government has the power to supervise the administration of a temple by nominating members to the managing committee.
The petition said the ministers could not be described as "Hindus" within the meaning of the Guruvayoor Devaswom Act as <b>they have disowned their religion when they became party members.</b> However, a division bench of Justices H.K. Sema and S.B. Sinha said that "to debar all 'Hindu' ministers of (a) Leftist government from nominating members to the managing committee of the Guruvayoor Devaswom will lead to a stalemate in the management of the temple." The bench clarified that "management of a temple primarily is a secular act" and hence, "undisputedly, the state has the requisite jurisdiction to oversee administration of a temple."
The petitioners--the president of the temple protection committee and a VHP leader--had challenged a Kerala High court judgement on the grounds that the ministers owed allegiance to the Marxist ideology and were against any religious practice. Justice Sinha, writing the judgment for the bench, said: "A Hindu admittedly may or may not be a person professing Hindu religion or a believer in temple worship. A HIndu has a right to choose his own method of worship. Idol worship, rituals and/or ceremonies may not be practiced by a person although he may profess Hindu religion." "To insist on such a qualification in the electorate will be as bad as saying that <b>when the law relating to a temple is under consideration in the legislature, only Hindu legislators can vote and they must further be qualified as believers in temple worship</b>," Justice Sinha said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar's Samadhi-A target of Administration's vandalism </b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Aneka Paadhabhivandanams to Periyava and Pujya Swamiji,
The Samadhi of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar, one of the most revered Trinity of the Carnatic Music, that includes Sri Thyagaraja Swami and Sri Shama Sastri; is situated at Ettayapuram, Tamil Nadu.
The Panchayat records of Ettayapuram reveal that the the land on which the Samadhi lies is classified as "Oorini Poramboke".
An effort was made, sometime ago, to re-classify the land to facilitate it to be a heritage site.
<b>A petition made to the Tehsildar and the local Revenue Department was dismissed by both the insensitive administrators.</b>
A review petition was made to the Land Commissioner, Chepauk, Chennai and this is pending before the Commissioner.
<b>Meanwhile, last week, the Tehsildar of Ettayapuram initiated moves to demolish the Samadhi as this is situate on the government Poramboke land.</b>
Immediately, our good friend and Vigil Public Forum's official, Sri Swaminathan (a practicing attorney at Madurai) moved the Madras High Court Bench at Madurai praying for relief from demolition of the Samadhi that should be rightly be preserved as a Heritage Site. The advocate on record is Shri Aravind Subramaniam. The petition was made in their personal capacity.
Hon'ble Justice D.Murugesan heard the brilliant petition of Shri Swaminathan two days ago and <b>granted relief from demolition</b>, pending the clearance of the Review petition before the Land Commission at Chennai.
The relief thus obtained is just temporary and there is an immediate need to focus attention on this heritage site, to save it from the administration's vandalism.
I pray to the lotus feet of both the Acharya and Pujya Swamiji that the options open to us would be to:
1. Bring this to the notice of the senior Carnatic Musicians and ask for their concerted action to preserve the Samadhi of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar.
2. Ask them to represent to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to declare it a memorial site and urge her for construction of a memorial for the revered composer. The fraternity of the Carnatic Musicians are best suited to make an appeal to the Chief Minister.
3. The musicians should be asked to initiate an annual Aradhana/festival on the lines of the one at Tiruvaiyaru held annually for Sri Thyagaraja Swami. This would enable the perpetuation of the memory of the great composer and ensure that there would not be any future adventure from the local administration.
4. I pray to Periyava and Pujya Swamiji for your guidance in this noble cause.
<b>The musicians who owe their lives and life styles to the compositions of this Trinity of Carnatic Music should come forward to protect the Samadhi of Sri Muthuswami Dikshitar.</b> The need of the hour is for them to come together to ensure that the Samadhi of one of our most revered composers is preserved for posterity.
Should they fail to act, then the best of their rendering would ever remain "apaswara" to the devout Hindu ears.
Unbelievable yet undoubtedly alarming is the fact that Hinduism in India is under attack by its native political culture. The difference however is that this time around the perpetrators of the assault are not the foreign conquerors or religious competitors but sons of India's own soil supporting Hindu names The persecution of Hindus in Kashmir, terror against them in North Eastern states resulting in their exodus and the nationalization of their temples and the temple owned estates in central, western and southern India are stark examples of this aggression. Should the Hindu world take these seemingly well organized anti-Hindu strategies lying down this all out internal subversion against Hinduism might result in radical transformation of the Indian nation insofar as its ethno-religious composition is concerned. In this report however, we will try to analyze developments in just one state in support of our thesis.
The government control has proved injurious and seriously debilitating to the foundations of the Hindu society and its religious infrastructure. It brought about a systematic and progressive demolition of Hinduism while leaving pujaris starving and Acharyas sidelined. Under the provisions of the Indian constitution discriminating, managing, reforming or patronizing religions is completely outside the scope of the government. Yet that is exactly what the officials in AP did. The elected political representatives of this state by enacting a Law through the instrument of the majority vote might presume to be legislatively right, but they are constitutionally wrong and not authorized to meddle in the religious faith of a billion Hindus. Only denationalization and restoration of religious shrines to the community guidance and governance can uphold the secular precepts of the constitution - and end the flagrant violation of "fundamental human rights and freedom of religion" for Hindus. The laws for keeping temples and shrines under government control are not only anti- secular and anti-Hindu but also "anti-national" as they are being used for dismantling Hinduism, the faith that is the single most important unifying factor in India's body politic.
Pending the denationalization of temples and their estates, the AP govt. must be persuaded, through public protests if necessary, to transform the endowments department, the Hathiramji Mutt, and the TTD trust into a new trust body with jurisdiction upon the Hindu religious entities. Such a trust should be made accountable to an interim ad hoc Hindu Council (a "shadow" Hindu Board) which in turn could be nominated by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha - the apex representative body of the Hindu samaj . The Council will visit, investigate and survey the temples and bring their grievances, findings and observations before the appropriate authorities and the community for necessary action.
"Demolition of Hindu religious infrastructure"Â and suppression of "fundamental human right of freedom of religion"Â through an Anti-Hindu Law by Andhra Pradesh Government
Dr. Jagan Kaul,
Krishan BhatnagarÂ
April 27, 2005
           Â
Even though unconstitutionally, the temples in Andhra Pradesh were nationalized, with the promise and premise of a clean and transparent management - such a draconian and questionable action was taken without placing before the general public any convincing evidence to justify the intervention by the state. But alas instead of streamlining the administration the government control has proved injurious and seriously debilitating to the basic Hindu religious infrastructure . It virtually brought about systematic and progressive demolition of the faith's infrastructure while leaving pujaris starving and Acharyas sidelined. The public reaction against the official intrusion has at best been insignificant.
Followers of no other faiths in the world would tolerate such desecration and loot of their places of worship. Persons with no devotion and religious background on Hinduism, even non Hindus from competing religious formations govern them. The practice of a religious group being ruled by their opponents or those with political or financial motivations is completely unacceptable and it betrays the real motive behind the scheme of nationalization -- not even Vatican or Mecca will allow this practice in their sphere of influence. Such a lawlessness In the administration of temples has become possible due to some frivolous interpretation of the concurrent list in the Indian Constitution. Therefore, in addition to the demand for denationalization, Hindus must insist that temples be taken out of the concurrent list of the constitution - by an amendment - that allows political and vested interests to meddle in Hindu temples and sacred places.
The unforgivable destruction of Mandapam at TTD is a symptom of a deep malaise - the unwarranted government interference in Hindu places of worship . There is an acceleration of disintegration of Hindu religious infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh : Naxals are distributing temple lands , the massive land scam in Hathiramji Mutt at Tirumala, and the infamous demolition of 1000 pillar mandapam at Tirumala. And then there is the alleged siphoning of temple revenues and lands that makes it hard for pujaris to survive much less to perform religious duties and do dharma prachar.
The state of Andhra Pradesh reportedly transfers some 85% of temple revenues to the state exchequer - possibly to support a bureaucracy of 77,000 for managing some 33,000 temples - leaving "pujaris" to starve . There are allegations that some 3.5 lakh (3,50,000 ) acres of temple lands in AP are under illegal occupation that the government may distribute to the so called poorer sections, under the leftist urging. Howsoever noble the cause, it is beyond trustees' covenant to dispose away the lands meant for sustenance in perpetuity.Â
About 80% of the 27,000-odd temples have no income other than what they get from the vested lands. And once the lands are taken over, for want of resources the worship (puja) in these temples will come to a close leading to their inevitable closure. In reality such an action will amount to denying the right to worship - the right that has been guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. .
The doctrine of nationalization and state control of the places of religious worship and their estates cuts at the very roots of the fundamental principles of secularism which dictates the separation of state and religion. Assigning such jurisdiction to an autonomous Hindu community Board could be the most appropriate instrument for guidance and governance of shrines and temples to satisfy public and government concerns, if any, on management - the age old practice without the governmental dictates and as followed by other religious communities.
For any potential allegations of mismanagement, scores of legal avenues are available to the aggrieved parties - a practice followed by other religionists' shrines and business organizations. Under such scenario, the appropriate judicial authorities may appoint auditors and make specific recommendations for transparency and accountability but without clamping down government control upon the religious entities.
Our contention encompasses the legal and philosophical commitment of the secular Indian State - that the management and administration of the religious institutions, their estates and places of worship, must reside in the hands of the representative bodies of the believers. For instance: How would Sikhs (Golden temple), Muslims (Jama Masjid) or Christians (Church of India) react to Govt. control of their places of worship? Such an intrusion by the government authority in otherwise an autonomous domain has a potential to generate a chain of serious consequences including the charges against the state for dismantling Hinduism.
The representatives of shrines, temples, Hindu community and religious leaders from Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, etc. should convene an assembly where: a) they take charge of clearly defining the new legal framework for the community governance of the religious places; and, b) define necessary organizational infrastructure in order to assume the charge of managing the Hindu shrines, temples and their estates in a legal, democratic and transparent manner. Such an approach among other things, could make the Board completely autonomous and thereby responsible for the entire administration including planning, executing, auditing, guiding, investigating and taking corrective steps on allegations and or complaints as and when needed.
If the AP govt. could almost instantaneously pass a legislation allowing 5% jobs quota for Muslims - in many ways a contentious issue - there is no reason why pending legislation they cannot pass an interim legislation to transform TTD trust , Hathiram ji Mutt and the endowments department into a trust body while placing the trustees accountable to the Hindu community, represented by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha. Establishment of a trust should substantially enhance the transparency of the religious entity. Needless to say that it is obligatory for every trustee to report to the owners the state of their assets, and get their approval on the conduct of the management
The state government in Andhra Pradesh must realize that the temples belong to the Hindu samaj who have built and sustained them over the centuries and therefore, its right to guide and govern temple management could not summarily be usurped. The officials must be persuaded through representations and through public demands, if necessary, to take urgently the following interim, corrective steps for establishing a transparent management - which could stop further irreparable damage to the Hindu religious infrastructure are:
1) covert the endowments dept., the Hathiramji Mutt, and the TTD trust , as a new trust body with jurisdiction upon the Hindu religious entities and accountable to an interim ad hoc Hindu Council (a "shadow" Hindu Board) nominated by the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, as representatives of the Hindu samaj . The Council will survey temples and present their grievances and issues to the appropriate authorities and the community;
2) stop diversion of temple revenues to the state exchequer and open separate bank account for it in a state bank. Such funds should be available for use by temples only ;
3)Â revoke earlier sales orders and put a moratorium on any sale/ transfer of land and properties till the temples are handed back to the community. This should include the nullifying of the fraudulent sale / transfer of Hathiram ji Mutt lands/ properties and illegal distribution of temple lands by Naxals.
4) make the endowments department transparent and open to public scrutiny; institute an independent public audit of temple finances and properties, and issue periodic financial statements.Â
The state authorities must realize that under the provisions of the Indian constitution discriminating, managing, reforming or patronizing religions is completely and fully outside the scope of the government. The elected political representatives by enacting a Law through a majority vote in AP could presume to be right legislatively, but their meddling in the faith of a billion Hindus is ultra virus, constitutionally wrong and unauthorized. Only denationalization and restoration of religious shrines to the community governance can right this wrong. Doing so is also necessary for upholding  the secular precepts of the constitution and the sanctity of the "fundamental human right of freedom of religion" of Hindus. Finally, it should be understood without any misgivings that the discriminatory laws promulgated to keep temples and shrines under government control are not only anti- secular and anti-Hindu but also "anti-national" as they are being used as a tool for dismantling Hinduism, a faith that is the single most important unifying factor in India's body politic.
The authors can be reached by email at : krishan.kb@verizon.net
Some references:
(1) Mammoth Land Scam in Tirupathi; Eenadu, August 31, 2004
(2) Distribution of Temple Lands to the Poor;Â Andhra Jyoti August 29, 2044 (page 8)
(3) Land Distribution-only Solution; Eenadu-Guntur Edition , June 27, 2004
(4 ) Now Naidu eyes temple lands;Â Hindustan Times, July 07, 2003
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->âBrutal Destruction of Heritage Hills in Braj â the need to protect
themâ
It is a matter of great pain and concern that the divine leela-sthalis of Sri Radha Krishna are being blasted out by using dynamite. This destruction is happening in the BJP ruled state of Rajasthan in the Kaman tehsil of Bharatpur district. The Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje has rejected all pleas and requests of saints and Brajwasis. All this has led to the generation of tremendous unrest and resentment amongst the Brajwasis and millions of Krishna devotees all over the world.
To contemplate on this serious issue Braj Rakshak Dal has convened a national seminar on âBrutal Destruction of Heritage Hills in Braj â the need to protect themâ.
Date: Saturday, May 7th, 2005
Time: 2:00 PM
Venue: Speakerâs Hall, Constitution Club
Rafi Marg, New Delhi
Honorable Speakers
⢠Shri Kapil Sibal, Eminent lawyer and Minister DST Govt. of India
⢠H H Govindteerth Swami Maharaj, Vrindavan
⢠Shri Laxmi Narayan Dave, Minister Mines, Govt. of Rajasthan
⢠Shri K. N. Govindacharya, former General Secretary, BJP
⢠Shri M. C. Mehta, well known environmentalist and eminent lawyer
⢠Dr. V Rajagopal, Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board
⢠H H Devamrita Das, President, ISKCON Vrindavan
⢠Dr. Ramjilal Shastri, Maan Mandir, Barsana
⢠Shri Vineet Narain, Convener Braj Rakshak Dal and eminent journalist
An informative and revealing VCD on the sorry state of affairs would also be displayed.
Your kind presence would be an invaluable support for us.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Challenges faced by Hinduism
             and
    the threat against Hindu Institutions today
       Talk by Dr. Subramanian Swamy
      On 71st Jayanthi Celebrations of
    H.H. Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal
Date: Saturday, Aug. 06, 3.30 PM to 6.00 PM
Venue: Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, Sunnyvale CA, 94089
Timeline:
3:30PM:
Sri Maha Ganapathi Pooja, Holy Paduka Abishekam, HH Sri Jayendra
Saraswati Swamigal Ashtothram, Swasthi Vachanam and Managala Aarti
4:45PM:
ââ¬ÅHinduism under threat in Indiaââ¬Â A Talk by Dr. Subramanian
Swamy
5:45PM:
Questions and Answers
6:30PM:
Distribution of Prasadams
ABOUT The Speaker:
Currently, Dr. Subramaniam Swamy is spearheading the movement for
awakening the people of India to the grave danger to the national
security of India with Sonia Gandhi heartbeat away from becoming
the Prime Minister of India. Apart from the national respect at
stake, there is more to know about Sonia Gandhi that should
disqualify her from holding any public office in India. As the
prime mover of the recently formed Rashtriya Swabhiman Manch, Dr.
Swamy is pursuing this matter in India vigorously through the
judicial system as well as public awareness forums.
Dr. Swamy is prominent among those who were credited with
presenting the compelling legal and Constitutional arguments to
Hon. President Abdul Kalaam that prevented Sonia Gandhi from
becoming the Prime Minister of India in May 2004.
Well-known public figure, Dr. Swamy is an eloquent speaker, with
enviable academic credentials, such as being a Professor of
Economics at Harvard University.
For details of Dr. Swamy and a list of other centers hosting his
talk across USA , please visit http://www.kksfusa.org
Pleaser contact Sundar Vedaraman (email: sundark2001@yahoo.com or
phone (408) 390-5257 for more details.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Government control of temples is finishing Hinduism</b>
By J.G. Arora -- Authorâs e-mail address : jgarora@vsnl.net
The Free Press Journal, Mumbai: August 11, 2005
One of the most critical issues tormenting Hindu society today is the outrageous government control of all prominent Hindu temples all over India.
It is perplexing that though India is a Secular Republic and though secularism commands separation of State and Religion, many State governments have taken over prominent Hindu temples and shrines which is an anti-secular act.
And the governments have targeted only Hindu temples for government control whereas no Christian church or Muslim mosque has been touched.
This is not to suggest that churches and mosques should be taken over by the State. This is just to stress that since secularism implies separation of State and Religion, Hindu temples and shrines should also enjoy same freedom from government control as enjoyed by churches and mosques.
It is also shocking that the state governments are not applying temple income for the cause of Hindu religion. Rather, the State takeover has resulted in diversion of temple funds for non-religious purposes, and as in Karnataka, even for Madrassas and Churches. State takeover has also resulted in mismanagement and defalcation of temple funds, closure of many smaller temples, encroachments, sale and alienation of temple lands, and dismantling of temple infra-structure which is leading to gradual demolition of Hindu religion.
<b>Anti-secular and discriminatory</b>
Government control of Hindu temples and shrines is anti-secular and anti-Hindu. It amounts to suppression of Hindusâ right of religious freedom guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India. Besides, it is discriminatory since only Hindu temples have been targeted for government control.
Because of government takeover, persons with no devotion and no knowledge about Hinduism, and even non-Hindus are governing Hindu temples.
Though the government is a Trustee, and not the owner of temple lands, the Andhra Pradesh government keeps on selling, transferring, gifting and alienating temple-owned lands under different pretexts though it has no right to sell, lease, gift or otherwise alienate the same.
Sale of Temple land is the biggest business in Andhra Pradesh.
Apart from planning to transfer thousands of acres of land belonging to Simhadri Narasimha Swami temple, Simhachalam in Vishakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh government has decided to sell 100,000 acres of lands belonging to various other temples.
Though the Church is the largest real-estate owner in the country, next only to the government, no government has brought any Church land in its control. But Government assumes âownershipâ of Hindu temple land and barters it for vote-bank politics.
The temple land scam which recently shook Andhra Pradesh is a sad commentary on the motives behind state control of Hindu shrines. 245 acres of prime land belonging to the Seetharama Chandra Swamy temple at Devarayamjal in Shaikpet mandal was sold at throwaway prices causing irreparable loss to the temple.
In Bhadrachalam, 12 acres of lands belonging to the Sri Rama Mandiram was given away to a Christian organization and resulted in the construction of a church.
In Karnataka, major portion of the offerings made by devotees are not spent either on Hindu temples or for the cause of Hindu religion. Rather, temple funds are being utilized to promote other religions. As reported in a section of the press, for the years 1997-98 to 2002-2003 for which figures are available, major portion of temple revenue in Karnataka was allocated to Madrassas, mosques and churches; whereas temples got only a little amount.
In adjacent Kerala, situation is equally reprehensible where state control has rendered innumerable temples dysfunctional. Besides, under the Kerala Land Reforms Act, over 12,000 acres of Guruvayoor templeâs land has been reduced to 230 acres only.
In Orissa the state government is planning to sell about 70,000 acres of Jagannath temple endowment lands due to financial difficulties arising due to governmentâs mismanagement of temples.
And in Rajasthan, instead of handing over temples to Hindu community, the state government is planning to lease some Hindu temples under the slogan âApna Dham, Apna Kam, Apna Namâ to private parties on build-operate and transfer basis.
In Jammu and Kashmir, even Mata Vaishno Devi Temple University created with the funds of Vaishno Devi Temple does not include Hindu religious studies in its curriculum.
<b>Shackling Hindu faith </b>
Government control over Hindu temples has crippled the cultural, social and spiritual life of Hindus.
Though a secular state can neither penalise nor patronise religions, shackling Hindu religion through state control of well-known temples continues all over India.
While the Indian government subsidizes âHajâ pilgrimage with hundreds of crores of rupees every year, the state governments are destroying the self-supporting edifice of Hindu places of worship with unwarranted state control.
Apart from being the centre of Hindu communityâs religious, social and cultural life, temple is supposed to be the focal point for learning Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Tirukkural etc. from religious scholars. Government control over important temples is also responsible for gradual disappearance of Vedic learning and Sanskrit.
It is because of government control over Hindu temples that recently Kanchi Shankracharya was humiliated and refused entry in the sanctum sanctorum of Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameswaram and Dhanuskodi Kothanda Ramar temple by the officials of Tamil Nadu government.
<b>Dangerous dimensions</b>
As reported in a section of the press, Andhra Pradesh government has brought Christian institutions into the decision making body of the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam (TTD) and its institutions. This is highly objectionable.
Recently, AP government ensured the entry of JRG Wealth Management Limited, an organisation owned by a Christian into the decision making and procurement process of Prasadam materials for use in Tirupati temple.
And government controlled temple management has also brought a tie-up of the TTD owned Sri Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences with a Christian missionary hospital.
And there are apprehensions of evangelistsâ design to build a Church at Tirumala.
<b>Hindus can manage their temples</b>
Only decontrol and restoration of Hindu temples and shrines to the Hindu communityâs management and control can give justice to Hindus.
Since temples belong to Hindu society which has built and maintained them over the centuries, the same should be handed back to Hindu community.
Like other religious communities, Hindus too have a legal and constitutional right to manage their temples, shrines and institutions. And they themselves can manage their temples.
Independent Boards comprising exclusively of Hindus must govern Hindu temples and shrines as is the case with places of worship of other religious communities. And temple revenue should be used for propagation of Hindu religion and upliftment of Hindus.
Let not greed of a few individuals and suicidal Hindu tolerance of gross injustice be allowed to destroy Hinduism in India the way Hinduism has already been destroyed in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh which too used to be Hindu lands.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Uproar in RS over Ramakrishna's depiction as 'mentally deranged' </b>
Pioneer News Service / New Delhi
The Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed uproarious scenes for about ten minutes during the question hour when the Opposition and Treasury benches clashed over <b>reference to a text book which reportedly describes saint Ramakrishna Paramhans as "mentally deranged".</b>
Turmoil erupted when Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh replied to a query posed by BJP member Ravi Shankar Prasad that Ramakrishna Paramhans was described as a "mentally deranged" person in text books.
The Minister said: <b>"This kind of description was made in a book last year and that portion was thereafter deleted."</b>
The BJP members, however, were not satisfied with the answer as they claimed that the Minister was not sensitive to their sentiments while giving the answer.
The Opposition also got provoked when the Congress members thumped their desks when the Minister gave his reply.
<b>The Opposition members, including SS Ahluwalia and Mr Prasad, contended that the Minister had not used the right language while replying on such a sensitive matter and soon their other colleagues joined in the protest.</b>
The treasury benches also reacted sharply and the House then witnessed uproarious scenes for about ten minutes with both sides trading charges.
The agitated BJP members could also be seen walking towards the well of the house despite Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat refusing them to raise the issue and stating that nothing would go on record.
However, normalcy was restored only when Mr Shekhawat assured the agitated members that if there was any unparliamentary language used by the Minister, he would get it expunged.Â
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->From: www.deccan.com/home/homed...ll%20mutts
<b>State will take total control of all mutts</b>
Hyderabad, Nov. 23: The State government has decided to take absolute control of Hindu mutts. The proposal has been pending for four years. The State government is also considering bringing Hindu religious trusts under its control. The government is planning to amend the AP Endowments Act to enable the endowments commissioner to oversee the day-to-day administration of mutts.
Once the Act is amended, 181 mutts will come under the control of the endowments commissioner.
According to sources, the law department has vetted the proposed amendment. An ordinance amending the Act is expected after the winter session of the Assembly. Another amendment pertains to scrapping the clause which specifies that only officials above the age of 45 should be appointed as endowments commissioner.
This is being done in the wake of the High Court nullifying the appointment of IAS official J.S.V. Prasad as endowments commissioner, since he did not fulfil the age requirement. Mutts such as Hathiramji of Tirupati, Raghavendra of Mantralaya, Byragi of West Godavari and Gavi in Uravakonda in Anathapur, which have assets worth crores of rupees, would come under the control of the government.
This will strip many âfinancial powersâ of the heads of mutts. For instance, âpadu kanukaluâ (offerings made to deities of temples run by mutts), will now go into a general account. Earlier, they were considered the property of the mutt head. Sources said the government was also keen on bringing wealthy Hindu religious trusts under its control but was yet to take a concrete decision on the matter.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
11-25-2005, 06:59 PM (This post was last modified: 11-25-2005, 06:59 PM by agnivayu.)
Isn't the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh a Closet Xtian ?. These Xtian scum are real jerks. It's time somebody taught them a lesson.
<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Nov 24 2005, 10:16 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Nov 24 2005, 10:16 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->From: www.deccan.com/home/homed...ll%20mutts
<b>State will take total control of all mutts</b>
Hyderabad, Nov. 23: The State government has decided to take absolute control of Hindu mutts. The proposal has been pending for four years. The State government is also considering bringing Hindu religious trusts under its control. The government is planning to amend the AP Endowments Act to enable the endowments commissioner to oversee the day-to-day administration of mutts.
Once the Act is amended, 181 mutts will come under the control of the endowments commissioner.
According to sources, the law department has vetted the proposed amendment. An ordinance amending the Act is expected after the winter session of the Assembly. Another amendment pertains to scrapping the clause which specifies that only officials above the age of 45 should be appointed as endowments commissioner.
This is being done in the wake of the High Court nullifying the appointment of IAS official J.S.V. Prasad as endowments commissioner, since he did not fulfil the age requirement. Mutts such as Hathiramji of Tirupati, Raghavendra of Mantralaya, Byragi of West Godavari and Gavi in Uravakonda in Anathapur, which have assets worth crores of rupees, would come under the control of the government.
This will strip many âfinancial powersâ of the heads of mutts. For instance, âpadu kanukaluâ (offerings made to deities of temples run by mutts), will now go into a general account. Earlier, they were considered the property of the mutt head. Sources said the government was also keen on bringing wealthy Hindu religious trusts under its control but was yet to take a concrete decision on the matter.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo--> Hope to meet you soon.
