Sambalpur, Odisha.
VHP Odisha Paschim Prant held a protest in Sambalpur, calling for the freeing of Maths, temples, and other religious places from government control. Thousands of people from eight districts of Paschim Odisha attended the event. Following the protest, a delegation met with the District Magistrate and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor and the President.
Member of the Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal of VHP Swami Jivanmuktanand Ji Maharaj, addressing the protest meeting expressed his deep sadness and disappointment regarding reports that beef, pig, and fish fat were being used in the Prasad of Tirupati Balaji Temple.
He termed the use of animal fat in Tirupati laddu prasadam as “intolerable and a disgusting act”, and said the entire Hindu society is distressed and hurt with this report.
Swami Jivanmuktanand Ji Maharaj highlighted ongoing concerns about politicians and governments misappropriating donations from Hindu devotees, not only in the preparation of Prasad but also in the management of temple properties and income.
He said the VHP has been demanding for a long time that temples and other religious places of the Hindus should not remain under government control. “We reiterate our demand that all temples and other places of worship be freed from the government’s control. The management and control of all temples and Hindu religious places should be handed over to the Hindu society.”
“Our stand is clear on this issue that governments must vacate the temples and their property, and hand them over to the Hindu society, Hindus are the rightful trustee of the temples, not the governments,” he added.
VHP State President Dr. Rajkumar Badapanda stated that while it is often said in our country that the Constitution is supreme, various governments have unfortunately exerted control over the main temples of Hindu society. Governments are meant to protect the Constitution, yet they frequently undermine its spirit. They openly violate Articles 12, 25, and 26 of the Constitution by taking control of temples for their own selfish interests.
After 77 years of independence, Hindus are still not allowed to manage their own temples. While minorities are permitted to run their religious institutions, why have these constitutional rights not been extended to Hindus?
He pointed out that Muslim invaders historically looted and destroyed temples, and the British cleverly established control over them, initiating a process of continuous plunder. Even after 77 years of independence, various governments in Bharat continue to operate with the same colonial mentality, looting Hindu temples by placing them under their control.
The memorandum submitted by the VHP through the District Magistrate states – “Due to the irregularities at Tirupati Balaji and other locations, the Hindu community now believes that unless they are able to free their temples from government control, the sanctity of these temples cannot be restored. We firmly believe that the property and income of Hindu temples should be used solely for their development and for the religious activities of Hindus. The reality is that temple income and property are being openly misappropriated not only by officials and politicians but at times even by their favored Hindu opponents”.
“The State Government is urged to free all Hindu temples currently under government control as soon as possible and to return them to Hindu society. One system was established by revered saints after extensive study and discussion, and it has been successfully implemented in many places. We request that Government make an appropriate decision as soon as possible.”
