Mangaluru: Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) International President Alok Kumar on August 6 announced that the organisation would launch a nationwide movement demanding that Hindu temples under the control of various state governments be handed back to devotees and the Hindu community. He said the campaign would seek to end government intervention in temple administration and restore their management to religious bodies and worshippers.
Addressing a press conference at the VHP regional office ‘Vishwashree’ in Kadri during his visit to Dakshina Kannada district, Alok Kumar said the issue of government control over Hindu temples had become a major concern and would be one of the VHP’s key national campaigns in the coming months.
Recalling his recent visits to Kukke Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala temples, he claimed that the Kukke Subrahmanya temple alone generated crores of rupees in revenue for the Karnataka government. According to him, if temples administered by governments across India were returned to Hindu society, more than Rs. 1,000 crore could be utilised for religious, educational and charitable activities instead of being routed through government control.
Questioning the existing system, Alok Kumar said governments do not administer mosques, churches, gurdwaras, Jain institutions or Buddhist monasteries. “If the State does not manage places of worship belonging to other religions, why should it continue to control Hindu temples?” he asked. He also criticised the practice of depositing temple income into government treasuries, collecting audit fees from temple funds and paying the salaries of temple administrators from devotees’ offerings.
Expressing confidence over the proposed campaign, Alok Kumar said the VHP had achieved success in several major movements, including the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, protection of Ram Setu, promotion of the Uniform Civil Code and campaigns relating to cow protection. He said the organisation was confident of achieving similar success in securing the release of temples from government administration.
Explaining the strategy for the campaign, he said the VHP would organise a large-scale nationwide outreach programme during 2026. Memorandums would be submitted to Chief Ministers, Governors, Members of Parliament and MLAs across the country. Public meetings involving senior citizens, religious leaders and eminent personalities would also be organised in major cities to build public support for the movement.
Responding to questions on the alleged irregularities involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, Alok Kumar said the VHP had never attempted to suppress the issue. He said the temple trust itself had acknowledged the alleged irregularities, registered an FIR and sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
“The trust itself came forward and accepted that irregularities had taken place. The complaint was not filed by any political party but by the trust itself. Senior office-bearers voluntarily offered themselves for investigation. We want a transparent inquiry and expect those responsible to be punished through a fast-track court before the end of 2026,” he said.
He further stated that the trust was considering appointing a professional Chief Executive Officer to strengthen financial oversight and prevent similar incidents in future.
Alok Kumar also criticised political leaders over a recent protest held near Parliament in Delhi, alleging that saffron robes worn by Hindu saints had been insulted during the demonstration. He claimed no Hindu saint had been linked to the Ayodhya donation case and accused opposition leaders of disrespecting Sanatan Dharma. He said devotees would respond democratically during future elections.
Commenting on the recent student protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, Alok Kumar alleged that left-affiliated student organisations were behind the agitation. Citing what he described as police AI-camera analysis, he claimed that over 2,900 persons with criminal backgrounds had participated in the protest. He also alleged that offensive slogans and objectionable placards were displayed during the demonstration, which, according to him, was an attempt to mislead society.
The VHP leader also announced that year-long programmes would be organised across the country from September 27 to commemorate the birth centenary of late VHP leader Ashok Singhal. The celebrations, he said, would include cultural events, religious programmes, awareness campaigns and outreach activities highlighting Singhal’s contribution to Hindu society and the organisation.
