Prayers for freedom: Should Govt control temples?

The Karnataka government’s bid to free temples from government control has sparked a debate that has blurred party lines. The Congress has called it a political move, not made for the public good. Others say that smaller temples dependent on the government will suffer. Those in favour argue that temples under the control of bureaucrats will be freed. Author Rahul Easwar and advocate Purushotham P examine the issue.

Muzrai requires surgery, not amputation- Purushotham P, Advocate and Urban Activist.

There’s no doubt that the Hindu Religious Endowment Department (Muzrai) requires surgery in order for it to be better suited to present day conditions. It was created for the purpose of avoiding the misuse of funds and illegalities that take place in most trusts and institutions.

Now, the government intends to withdraw the custody of temples from the department and hand it over to temple trusts without a proper roadmap. This is like issuing an open call to the political leaders, their families and pier houses to take charge instead, which will most likely result in temple revenue being used as per the whims and fancies of a few.

We have long since witnessed allegations against temple managements, which claim that funds are utilised illegally and that criminal activity is rampant, along with a host of other complaints.

The Muzrai Department needs a makeover. It definitely requires transparency in its proceedings and their efficiency must be scrutinised. Instead of doing so, the government wishes to hand over the responsibility entirely to temple trusts, providing them with an opportunity to loot, influence the electorate, make allegations, formulate their own laws and generally do as they please. Even God will have to seek their permission before making an entrance!

I do believe the proposed move is unjust and also illegal. Politics and religious orthodoxy don’t work together – they are a hotbed for rampant corruption.

If the government doesn’t believe in its own department, what faith can the public have in their proposal? If authorities’ concerns truly lie with temples and their fair administration, then bolster the latter. Bring in the changes that will ensure equality and root out corruption.

If the law is brought in for political mileage, or to appease one section of voters, it will remain a blot of communal harmony. It could also result in litigations, which will not help even the temples. The government must decide – does it want to correct the wrongdoings, if any? And what is the best way to do so?Instead of righting the wrongs, the government wants to hand the reins over to the very people against whom the government provided insulation. This is like being unable to prevent a murder from happening so instead of sending police to catch the goons, the police are handed over to the killers. The government will be committing a blunder if it chooses to go ahead with the idea. It is better for them to drop the ‘free temples’ bill and focus their attention on making modifications to the Muzrai Department.

(As told to Nischith N)

Good move, return temples to devoteees- Rahul Easwar, Activist, author and orator

India won our freedom from British rule after a legendary independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. But temples, which had remained under the rules set by the British, became a sort of Trojan horse inside the Hindu community. After the rebellion against the British by Veluthambi Dalwa, the British realised that temples are fast becoming spaces of resistance against imperial rule. Therefore, under the pretext of “administration of temples is not done well,” Colonel Munroe took over the temples in South India and created Temple Boards that brought them under government control.

Now, in independent India, are churches or mosques administered by the government? No. Why single out Hindu temples and provide step-motherly treatment exclusively to the shrines that belong to the majority community? This is a question that both constitutional experts and the common man need to debate.

It is also a truth of history that the socalled upper castes, like Brahmins, treat backward communities badly and continue horrendous practices like untouchability and casteism. At the same time, Hinduism has also seen great reformers like Swami Vivekananda, Gandhiji, and Sri Narayana Guru, who upheld the eternal spirit of Dharma taught to us by saints like Basaweshwara, Shankaracharya, Madhvacharya, Kabir and Nanak who said that true reformation comes from within. So while it is true that there are negative aspects in the past, they cannot be used to cause injustice in the present.

This is as bad as saying Indian Muslims in the 21st century should answer for the crimes committ