Haindava Sankharavam’ organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a frontal organization of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has given a clarion call to the Hindus to free the temples from government control.
Speaking at the programme in Vijayawada on January 5, 2025 (Sunday), VHP national president Alok Kumar said the ‘sankharavam’ was the collective proclamation of the Hindu society’s resolve.
Speaking to media persons on Friday, Gokaraju Gangaraju, central vice-president of VHP, and president of Haindava Sankharavam Sabha, said, “The condition of temples under the government control is appalling. We are holding Haindava Sankharavam to raise awareness among people, and demand that temples be freed from political interference. Hindus should have the same freedom as other religious communities in managing their places of worship.” Gummala Satyam, secretary of Bhagyanagar Kshetra Sanghatana, asserted that the movement is not limited to the State. “We submitted a charter of demands to the Governors of all States seeking hand over of temple management to an independent religious board. Just as there is no government control over churches and mosques, there should be no control over Hindu temples,” he said.
The following Resolution was passed at the end of Sankhravam:
Declaration of Hindu Sankharava Sabha
1. The law should be amended immediately to provide full autonomy to Hindu temples
2. While amending the law to provide autonomy to Hindu temples, the government should take immediate steps to ensure that the services of puja, prasad and kainkarya are conducted in temples with utmost devotion and quality
3. The employees of non-religious faith working in Hindu temples and service organizations run by temples should be removed immediately.
4. Only non-political religious persons who practice dharma with devotion and devotees should be appointed in the Hindu temple trust boards
5. The government should take immediate steps to ensure that the properties of Hindu temples are not alienated and that the alienated properties are seized and handed over to the temples
6. The income of Hindu temples should be used only for Hindu religious propaganda, Hindu community services and religious services. Not to be used for government activities
7. The government, public representatives and police should not try to provide protection to those who are unjustly and illegally attacking the Hindu community, temples, properties and institutions in various ways. Strict action should be taken against those who have committed the attacks and ensure that they are punished.
8. The government should not impose illegal restrictions and financial burden on festivals like Vinayaka Chavithi, Dussehra and Hanuman Jayanti. Before these festivals, the government should sit down and talk with the representatives of the Hindu community, Hindu religious leaders and religious organizations and take decisions on the management of the festivals.
9. The government should not impose illegal restrictions on the routes, times, dates and procedures of processions of Hindu gods and goddesses, processions
Highlights of Sankharavam - statements by the eminent speakers.
The ‘Haindava Shankharavam’ program began with the sounding of conch shells by saints in all eight directions, reflecting the holy and peaceful atmosphere in the temples and awakening the self-respect of Hindus.
After lighting the lamp, people bowed down to Mother India and offered a garland. Omkara slogan was chanted, Ekatmata Mantra was chanted, and Sri Rama Nama Taraka Mantra was recited 11 times.
More than 150 saints attended the program. Tridandi Chinnajiyar Swami, Sri Ganapathy Sachchiudananda Swamiji, Shiva Swamy, Kamalananda Bharati, Radhamanohar Das Swami, representatives of ISKCON, Akshaya Patra and others participated. They were welcomed with a full-fledged Kumbh in accordance with the Vedic rituals.
Temples are the pillars of Hinduism. Welcome to the Hindu relatives who came to this program on the call of VHP for their autonomy.
Many people have fought, sacrificed and made sacrifices to protect temples. For thousands of years, our temples have been subjected to attacks and looting.
Even after 77 years of independence, the situation has not changed. Governments have taken control of temples. They have turned temples into political rehabilitation centers.
Temples are the lifeblood of Hindus. They should be protected. Pagans and atheists should not be included as employees or members of the board of trustees in temples.
The Supreme Court has declared those laws against Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution invalid. However, a law was made in Andhra Pradesh based on the Tamil Nadu law.
In our state, temples used to have about 15 lakh acres of land. They gradually melted away like an iceberg when they passed into the hands of the Endowments Department. Now only 4.5 lakh acres remain.
There is no single centralized management system for temples. Every temple has its own local customs, traditions and rituals.
Therefore, the VHP wants the temples to be managed by forming religious trusts with local elders. We have prepared a draft for that effect.
The hereditary trustees of the temples, the priests, and the devotees there jointly manage the temples with cooperation and devotion. There should be no government interference in it....