Keralite Hindus in Maharashtra initiates Fight against ‘Secularization of Temples’

‘Keraleeya Hindu Bhakta Sangamam’ on 27 April 08 at Mumbai

Press Release

Keraleeya Kshetra Paripalana Kendra Samithi, Maharashtra (Regd), the apex body of about 81 Keraleeya is organizing a ‘Keraleeya Hindu Bhakta Sangamam’ on 27th April 2008 at 4.00 P.M. at At Hareshchandra Sharma Garden, Opp. IIT Main Gate, Powai, Mumbai.

Various Temple Committees,  Bhajan Sanghams, Narayaneeya sanghams, Ayyappa seva Samithis,  Social and other Hindu Religious  organizations are joining this mega satsangam. 

Keraleeya Kshetra Paripalana Kendra Samithi, Maharashtra (Regd ) is the first organization came forward    to   protest against the decision of  Govt. of Maharashtra to  frame a law to take over  temples and Hindu Dharmik Sanstas in the state . Samithi submitted a mass memorandum to the chief Minister of Maharashtra on  25th n September 2005   through Smt. Manda Mhatre, MLC from CBD.

Later on, many organizations like Hindu Janajagruti Samithi, Sanathan Sansta, Jain Temple association  etc have launched a series of agitation progrmmes. The samithi joined hands with them and so far supported about seven public meetings under the banner of Hindu Dharmajagruti Sabha, over 100 corner meetings in Mumbai and about 500 corner meetings in the state of Maharashtra.

The early generation of Keralites settled in the state made temples in Mumbai and various other part of the state. No doubt the devotees struggled hard for building up the temples and running them as per Keraleeya Tantric Vidhis.  The disappointing factor is that  their young generation is not coming forward to the activities of those temples due to unawareness of the powerful  spiritual energy they can gain from temple atmosphere.

Keraleeya temples are built strictly as per the vedic rituals and maintained in good discipline and sanctity.  In these temples, unlike others, only the Priests are allowed to enter the sanctum, Santorum to conduct poojas.  All these temples are already Registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act. 1952 and paying the charity tax regularly to the Charity Commissioner. Hence, a new law to control these temple is not necessary or it will be rather an interference of Govt. authorities in the day to day activities of the temples.

At the instance of the samithi, abount 4.50 Lakhs of Temple trusts and Hindu Dharmik Sanstas are now coming under one banner called the Maharashtra Mandira Mahasangh.

Shri. Mannanur Ravindran, president of the samithi says “ It is our duty to   protect these  temples, our religious identity and Cultural heritage developed by us in this City by spending our hard earned money and sacrificing a part  of our life. Temples are only the place were Hindus can freely worship the God and propagate the principles of HIndu religion. If it is undertaken by the  Government, it will be like other Govt. undertakings which are running in loss. In Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, & Andhra Pradesh, temples are undertaken by the Governments and the mismanagement and misappropriations of temple fund increased manifold. Money collected from temples are appropriated towards development  of Madrassa and Christian  institutions. In these states, the devotees could not prevent the Government from undertaking temples at the proper time.”

“In Maharashtra the Government has already taken over three major temples like Siddhivinayak, Shrirdi and Pandarpur.  In the absence of one man religious leader and lack of unity the Government dared to make this attempt.  Since these take overs are challenged by some organizations, now the government has framed a law in advance so that we cannot even approach the judiciary if our temples are undertaken under a law.  All Politicians are now in silence as they could not yet quantify their gains”

A mass resolution will be passed in the sangamam and sent to the Chief Minister of  Maharashtra along with the video clippings of the programme.

The programme notice is enclosed. As this is a historical public function in Mumbai, we appeal to you to give good press coverage . This sangamam is a meeting to mobilize the devotees about the need to protect our temples and to emphasize the large scale involment of the new generation in temple activities. Dr. N Gopalakrishnan a Scientist from ISRO, Swami Vedananda Saraswati from Peruva Gita Mandir and Shri. Kummanam Rajaashekharan Secretary of Hindu Ikaya Vedi, Kerala will be delivering a mass discourse during the sangamam. Shri. AKG Nair, Chairman and Shri. NB Kurup shall lead the welcome committee apart from various religious leaders.

Responses