If minorities can run temples, why can’t Hindus? VHP launched a campaign to free temples from government control

New Delhi: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Tuesday resolved to free temples from government control across the country. It also said that it will soon launch a nationwide campaign to achieve this goal. VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain, while addressing a press conference, said that if the state governments do not hand over the temples to the Hindu society, the organization will also approach the court. he/she said, ‘From today, our resolution is that temples across the country will be freed from government control and handed over to the society. For this, first demonstrations and agitations will be held in every state and our memorandum will be submitted to the governors through the respective Chief Ministers.’

‘Legal recourse will also be taken’

he/she said that wherever necessary, legal recourse will be taken to get justice. Jain said that if needed, a movement will also be started in the future. he/she said that the state governments keeping temples under their control is a violation of the Constitution and the courts are ‘repeatedly saying that it is not the job of the governments to run temples.’

The political temperature of the country rose

he/she said that Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh is not the only temple from where there have been reports of the use of animal fat in making prasadam. he/she claimed, ‘Earlier, a complaint had also come from Sabarimala temple in Kerala. There too, similar unholy things were mixed in Payasam (sacred food).’ he/she said that there have also been reports of ‘financial irregularities and misuse’ of the properties of temples under the control of state governments across the country. Jain said that in all these cases it has been observed that these are the temples which have been taken under control by the respective state governments.

‘Both bureaucracy and politicians are involved in looting’

he/she alleged, “Both the bureaucracy and the politicians are involved in loot and playing with the sentiments of Hindus.” Jain said that in Tamil Nadu alone, more than 400 temples are under the control of the government. he/she said that a survey conducted by an NGO had found that these 400 temples generate a revenue of Rs 6000 crore per year, but they show an income of only Rs 200 crore and an expenditure of Rs 270 crore.

Demand for judicial investigation in Tirupati Laddu controversy

On the Tirupati laddu controversy, the VHP functionary demanded that a judicial inquiry be conducted into the matter and those involved in desecrating the prasad be given severe punishment. Jain said that the control of state governments over temples is a symbol of colonial mentality and slavery. he/she argued, ‘When minorities can run their own institutions, why can’t Hindus.’