At the International Temples Convention, speakers suggested the creation of a ‘Rajya Dharmik Parishad’ in each state to free temples from government control and ensure their autonomy. Milind Parande, the General Secretary of Vishva Hindu Parishad, argued that Hindu society is fully capable of managing its own temples.
Parande stated, “What we need is a central body at the state level to oversee and regulate Hindu temples and charitable endowments across each state. Our proposal is not to shift temples from one administrative system to another. The Rajya Dharmik Parishad will include spiritual leaders, religious scholars, philosophers, experts on agama, civil servants, retired judges, and have broader representation from women, SCs, and STs. The aim is to ensure transparency in the accounts, ensuring funds are used for causes that serve the needs of Hindu society.”
Other speakers proposed that the Chief Minister of the state, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of the High Court should also be included as members. They suggested that to maintain transparency and uphold democratic values, members of the Rajya Dharmik Parishad should step down every two to three years.
Vishva Hindu Parishad has long been advocating for the autonomy of Hindu temples, emphasising the need to free them from government control. Over the years, VHP has highlighted concerns regarding the mismanagement of temple funds, restrictions on religious practices, and the increasing interference of state-run administrative bodies in temple affairs. VHP believes that temples, as sacred institutions, should be governed by religious leaders and the Hindu community itself rather than by government-appointed authorities. The creation of the Rajya Dharmik Parishad aligns with VHP’s consistent efforts to empower Hindu society to manage its spiritual and cultural heritage without external control. Through this proposal, VHP aims to restore temples to their rightful place as independent and self-regulating institutions within the community.
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