06-22-2005, 02:34 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Can we save Puri Jagannatha's lands? (Hindu Jagran Forum)
Letter to Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa
Subject: Nationalization responsible for Financial crunch at Jagannath Temple -- Govt. Control of Shrines is anti-Hindu, anti-secular and amounts to suppression of Hindus right of religious freedom.
Hon'ble Chief Minister Patnaik,
We are deeply dismayed to learn that , Orissa's famous Jagannath Temple is being compelled to sell off all plots of land it owns in this and other states to overcome its severe financial crunch (attachment A). Though against the basic principle of secularism â separation of state and religion - the Puri temple was nationalized and brought under government control in 1960 with the premise
and promise of good management. But in reality Govt. control of the temple and its estates has led to its financial ruins, stagnation and the present impasse. We firmly believe that if the management is not handed over to a Board representing the Hindu community , it is not difficult to surmise the temple closing in 30 to 50 years, because the estimated 100 crores of rupees in sale may be
too optimistic and the real buying power would sharply decline over decades. Irrespective of the veracity of the report, the temple does not belong in the government domain and must be denationalized and restored to the Hindu community governance - only they as owners could decide on the future of
lands. The denial and systematic suppression of the majority community's fundamental right i.e., "freedom of religion" in any shape of form is completely unacceptable.
At this critical juncture of the history of the Hindu India, we must be candid in pointing out that the approach of selling property can neither be a durable nor a long term solution -- and it won't guarantee the survival of the temple for the next thousand years. For the temple, the one hundred crores by land sale even if realized, will become insignificant for for its retention and sustenance over time.
The Squatters law was overridden by the Parliament Act of 1991, requiring the retention of religious places, as they existed on August 15, 1947. Further, the squatters law that a squatter becomes the owner of the land after 12 years could not apply to temples properties for such properties are neither private nor government properties. They are essentially community and religious properties
therefore, without the reach of the law in question. Only the Hindu samaj has the authority to take any decisions regarding use of these lands in the future.
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 would be the most appropriate instrument for guidance and governance of shrines and temples to satisfy public and government concerns, if any, on management. This is the
age old practice of operation without governmental dictates and is followed by other religious communities.
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, Ajmer Sharif) 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.Â
Before embarking upon this highly controversial and turbulent path the state must ponder upon the following:- 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 â neutrality towards religions - is enshrined in the Indian constitution? Why not allow an autonomous
Hindu board 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. It is completely unethical, illegal and unconstitutional on the part of the government to willy nilly discriminate
against Hindu temples and their estates while other religions and their places of worship enjoy complete freedom from government control and interference.
Historically the Jagannath temple was supported by the king of Puri. Sir, you as the Chief Minister, occupying a similar position, should support formation of an autonomous Hindu Board to provide community guidance and efficient governance for a vibrant religious institution like this. Only conducting pujas, rituals and annual rath yatras that a secular govt. could support are a
caricature of Hinduism and only a part of the vast range of activities for such an important shrine.
Once under Hindu community control, its Board could raise funds by donations in India and abroad, better managing its endowments, etc. thus ensuring the temple to continue into perpetuity. Under a well structured, visionary and energetic Board, Puri could be developed as a significant cultural center and a center of learning like the ancient Nalanda University. There are other community services like widespread education and health services similar to the missionaries work, that they could provide.
The grandeur of Hinduism - its Vedas, Upanishads, its glorious ancient culture, spirituality and values that the community would like to project and propagate can only be done under a devoted Hindu religious governance. This is essential for national cohesion and integration, because Hinduism is the single most important unifying factor in India's body politic. In an open and democratic
society, the suppression of majority's "fundamental right of freedom of religion" is a gross misuse of laws.
We urge 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 Jagannath temple and other religious places in the state -- in accordance with religious needs and the wishes of devotees, donors, Acharyas and the community, who have supported these institutionsÂ
since ancient times. 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 any allegations and or complaints as and when
needed.
May we also suggest that pending legislative action for denationalization, Hindu organizations â Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, etc. - be asked to appoint an ad hoc representative Council to partner with the "endowments" department for familiarizing with and overseeing Jagannath temple administration, as a preliminary step towards the transfer of temples and endowments in the state to a
Hindu Religious Endowment Board. Such an initiative is likely to assure the community's participation and smooth transition.Â
Hon'ble Chief Minister, may we request that for upholding secularism and the constitution and for a sound long term sustenance and development of the Jagannath temple, you exercise your leadership in motivating the Hindu community to 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. In the meantime the proposed sale of some 70,000 acres of temple endowment lands must be stopped forthwith. On the other hand, violation of majority's freedom for managing its places of religious worship and continuing intrusion and imposition of governmental
dictates in an otherwise autonomous domain, will justify the charge against the state of being anti- Hindu and anti-national by shackling Hinduism - a faith that is the single most important unifying factor in India's body politic.
With best wishes and looking forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Â
Dr. Jagan Kaul                   Â
May 26, 2005Â Â
Krishan BhatnagarÂ
Hindu Jagran Forum (Maryland, USA)
email: krishan.kb@verizon.net<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Letter to Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa
Subject: Nationalization responsible for Financial crunch at Jagannath Temple -- Govt. Control of Shrines is anti-Hindu, anti-secular and amounts to suppression of Hindus right of religious freedom.
Hon'ble Chief Minister Patnaik,
We are deeply dismayed to learn that , Orissa's famous Jagannath Temple is being compelled to sell off all plots of land it owns in this and other states to overcome its severe financial crunch (attachment A). Though against the basic principle of secularism â separation of state and religion - the Puri temple was nationalized and brought under government control in 1960 with the premise
and promise of good management. But in reality Govt. control of the temple and its estates has led to its financial ruins, stagnation and the present impasse. We firmly believe that if the management is not handed over to a Board representing the Hindu community , it is not difficult to surmise the temple closing in 30 to 50 years, because the estimated 100 crores of rupees in sale may be
too optimistic and the real buying power would sharply decline over decades. Irrespective of the veracity of the report, the temple does not belong in the government domain and must be denationalized and restored to the Hindu community governance - only they as owners could decide on the future of
lands. The denial and systematic suppression of the majority community's fundamental right i.e., "freedom of religion" in any shape of form is completely unacceptable.
At this critical juncture of the history of the Hindu India, we must be candid in pointing out that the approach of selling property can neither be a durable nor a long term solution -- and it won't guarantee the survival of the temple for the next thousand years. For the temple, the one hundred crores by land sale even if realized, will become insignificant for for its retention and sustenance over time.
The Squatters law was overridden by the Parliament Act of 1991, requiring the retention of religious places, as they existed on August 15, 1947. Further, the squatters law that a squatter becomes the owner of the land after 12 years could not apply to temples properties for such properties are neither private nor government properties. They are essentially community and religious properties
therefore, without the reach of the law in question. Only the Hindu samaj has the authority to take any decisions regarding use of these lands in the future.
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 would be the most appropriate instrument for guidance and governance of shrines and temples to satisfy public and government concerns, if any, on management. This is the
age old practice of operation without governmental dictates and is followed by other religious communities.
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, Ajmer Sharif) 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.Â
Before embarking upon this highly controversial and turbulent path the state must ponder upon the following:- 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 â neutrality towards religions - is enshrined in the Indian constitution? Why not allow an autonomous
Hindu board 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. It is completely unethical, illegal and unconstitutional on the part of the government to willy nilly discriminate
against Hindu temples and their estates while other religions and their places of worship enjoy complete freedom from government control and interference.
Historically the Jagannath temple was supported by the king of Puri. Sir, you as the Chief Minister, occupying a similar position, should support formation of an autonomous Hindu Board to provide community guidance and efficient governance for a vibrant religious institution like this. Only conducting pujas, rituals and annual rath yatras that a secular govt. could support are a
caricature of Hinduism and only a part of the vast range of activities for such an important shrine.
Once under Hindu community control, its Board could raise funds by donations in India and abroad, better managing its endowments, etc. thus ensuring the temple to continue into perpetuity. Under a well structured, visionary and energetic Board, Puri could be developed as a significant cultural center and a center of learning like the ancient Nalanda University. There are other community services like widespread education and health services similar to the missionaries work, that they could provide.
The grandeur of Hinduism - its Vedas, Upanishads, its glorious ancient culture, spirituality and values that the community would like to project and propagate can only be done under a devoted Hindu religious governance. This is essential for national cohesion and integration, because Hinduism is the single most important unifying factor in India's body politic. In an open and democratic
society, the suppression of majority's "fundamental right of freedom of religion" is a gross misuse of laws.
We urge 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 Jagannath temple and other religious places in the state -- in accordance with religious needs and the wishes of devotees, donors, Acharyas and the community, who have supported these institutionsÂ
since ancient times. 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 any allegations and or complaints as and when
needed.
May we also suggest that pending legislative action for denationalization, Hindu organizations â Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, etc. - be asked to appoint an ad hoc representative Council to partner with the "endowments" department for familiarizing with and overseeing Jagannath temple administration, as a preliminary step towards the transfer of temples and endowments in the state to a
Hindu Religious Endowment Board. Such an initiative is likely to assure the community's participation and smooth transition.Â
Hon'ble Chief Minister, may we request that for upholding secularism and the constitution and for a sound long term sustenance and development of the Jagannath temple, you exercise your leadership in motivating the Hindu community to 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. In the meantime the proposed sale of some 70,000 acres of temple endowment lands must be stopped forthwith. On the other hand, violation of majority's freedom for managing its places of religious worship and continuing intrusion and imposition of governmental
dictates in an otherwise autonomous domain, will justify the charge against the state of being anti- Hindu and anti-national by shackling Hinduism - a faith that is the single most important unifying factor in India's body politic.
With best wishes and looking forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Â
Dr. Jagan Kaul                   Â
May 26, 2005Â Â
Krishan BhatnagarÂ
Hindu Jagran Forum (Maryland, USA)
email: krishan.kb@verizon.net<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->