“Pseudo-secularism” at its best?
This is one of the most extraordinary examples I have come across of contempt towards and complete disregard of Hindu sensibilities by our “secular government”.
The chart shows how proceeds from ~ 250,000 temples in Karnataka have been distributed over the past few years (pl click below to enlarge):
Sourced from BharatJagran.com
It shows that between ’97-’98 and ’02-’03, disbursements to temples for renovation and maintenance fell (more than halved) from Rs 16.5 cr to Rs 7.1 cr even as revenues collected from Temples rose from Rs 58.63 crores to Rs 79 crores.
Wait, there is more.
Over the same period, Disbursement to Madarsas, Mosques and Haj committee rose more than 4 times from Rs 14.25 cr to Rs 58 cr and disbursement to Christian institutions and churches more than doubled from Rs 5cr to Rs 12.75 cr [pl see note on source below]
Is there anything more that needs to be said?
P.S. Note that most temples in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are controlled and managed by State Governments. This means that devotee contributions made to the temple necessarily go to the state treasury.
Is this the source of this information?
In a recent article titled “Nationalization of Hindu Temples†Sandhya Jain wrote. “ In 2002, Karnataka received Rs. 72 crores as revenue, returned Rs. 10 crores for temple maintenance, and granted Rs. 50 crores for madrasas and Rs. 10 crores for churches’. (Daily Pioneer, October 7,2003.) [Supreme Court Asks Government To Pay Imam Salaries, By Sanjeev Nayyar, October 2005]
Shanthanu,
It baffles me that Hindu organizations (rather, us Hindus in general) are not mounting a strong legal challenge to end this “Rob Ram to Pay Paul” attitude of our “secular” governments. Instead of merely expressing our anguish, we should also do something concrete towards that. I once read somewhere that Acharya Sabha, formed as a result of Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s effort to bring in various Acharyas and Mandaleshwars under a single umbrella, was preparing to do a legal battle to liberate the temples from the government, but I haven’t heard anything after that later. Even if it is difficult to keep temple administration completely out of the Government’s control, at least these blatant misuse of temples’ income must be stopped.
I hope a body like the Acharya Sabha that has people who commands the respect of Hindus from various regions actively mount such a legal challenge by making use of the best legal brains in the country. I am sure if the real issues are brought to devout Hindus’ attention, many Hindus will be willing to monetarily support such an effort. As a first step it will be good if a public awareness campaign, say in the form of ads in major Indian language newspapers, is carried out.
Since this is my first comment here, let me end this by expressing my appreciation for your efforts in raising awareness on issues like these. Keep up this splendid job!
How authentic is this source? Is it obtained from RTI?
Easwaran: Thank you for your comment and kind words. I agree with your sentiments. We need to create more awareness amongst people about this.
Mahesh: Good point about the source. The information has not been obtained by RTI (as far as I am aware) although it can be easily corroborated by RTI (I think).
The chart shows the source as “Chief Minister’s Office” which suggests to me that it might have been in response to a question in the Vidhan Soudha. It is hard to believe (although not impossible) that someone might have concocted the elaborate numbers. That said, it would be nice to have the figures from an “official source” rather than an organisation’s website. Do let me know if you stumble upon any other source. Thanks.
Dear Shantanu:
I don’t know if this is a workable solution. There are eminent lawyers and other luminaries in various other professions among the Hindu community. The lot of our temples will not change for the better unless we stop wailing and start thinking of some constructive action to remedy the problems concerning misappropriation of the funds intended for the upkeep of the temples all over the country. I shall give you an outline of an idea that has cropped up in my mind. This is just a thought in the teething stage and needs to be converted into a viable action plan by those who have the ability to orchestrate. But commitment to the cause and freedom from greed and nepotism are the prerequisites for its success. Instead of wasting our energy by approaching an unsympathetic government, Hindus must form self-help centers all over India under a single governing body: I shall detail the steps below:
Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya established four Maths in the four corners of India for the sustenance and propagation of Sanatana Dharma in the country.
1. Govardhana Math in the East.
2. Sringeri Sharada Peetam in the South.
3. Dwaraka Math in the West.
4. Jyotir Math in the North.
As we all know, there is also a Kanchi Math in the South popularly known as Kamakoti Peethm with a considerable number of followers. All the Acharyas of these Maths must come together and form a professionally managed Trust or Society. They all must take the initiative to include all the caste subdivisions and their spiritual leaders to be represented in the Trust/ Society. The Society must encourage participation of the Hindus by making them members. A minimum entry fee of Rs. 10 may be charged. Self help centers affiliated to this Trust/Society must be established near all the major temples and wide publicity given to these centers so that the devotees are well aware of their existence in the area.
*Devise a system to collect funds.*
These centers must distribute pamphlets explaining the mismanagement of the temple funds by the present Government and explain the objective of the Society/Trust. It should be explained to the devotees that they must limit their donations directly to the temples. For example, we all know, the Bachans, the Ambanis etc. have donated millions of Rupees to TDP and other Govt. controlled temple authorities. These funds must be sought to collected by the Trust/Society. If it is properly explained to the devotees that their funds are being used for the benefit of others to the detriment of their own, I am sure many people will think before throwing away their money for the benefit of the parasite Government bodies.
*A system to distribute the funds:*
There are some temples with high income earning capacity and many others with no earning capacity. So the distribution of funds must be properly planned and executed.
25% of the funds from temples that generate very high income must be set apart for spending on upkeep of those temples. The remainder must be used for the following: (This is not a complete list)
1. Aid for renovating temples in dilapidated condition.
2. Give additional salaries to the priests and employees of such temples, so that their salaries conform to the minimum wages as defined in the Labour Laws..
3. Establish at least one educational institution in each district.
4. Spread the basic principles of Sanatana Dharma and to bring all sections of the Hindu community together by doing away with the prevailing concept of lower and higher castes.
5. Promoting study of Sanskrit, Vedas and Indian culture.
6. Scholarship for poor students
7. Building orphanages and old age care centers
8. Building hospitals
9. Start TV channels and newspapers
10. Make representation to the proper authorities on matters concerning the welfare of the Hindus.
11. Others (any other good things or even better ones which I may have missed).
This Body must be professionally managed and made foolproof to prevent misappropriation of funds. This is only a very elementary outline and must be studied properly by the community members with proven leadership qualities and then implemented. However, the success of such a Body will depend on our ability to keep away people with affiliation to any of the present political ideologies including the type presently propounded by BJP. It must also never get involved with any organization that believes in violence as a means of fighting injustice.
Hari Om.
A friend of mine says that the Government can invoke Art. 30 of the Constitution and take over any and all institutions (educational, charitable etc.) owned by the majority community. However, minority communities are protected from such takeover. Can anyone give further information on this subject?
Before anything, we need a huge circulation, publicity of these facts amongst average Hindus.
Middle class, ‘educated’ Hindus used to shun from religiosity, faith not so long ago. Its changing slowly but surely. We need to spread these information amongst them so they understand the threat we r facing today.
Unless we resort to activism, the day is not far when Hindus will cease to exist in India.
Dear Shantanu,
I think Karnataka High Court (or may be a lower court) passed a judgement in last 6-8 months asking Government NOT to spend Money collected from Hindu temples for propagation of other religion/faith.
Can anybody confirm that please?
*** COMMENT Combined ***
This is what I reserached.
Karnataka High COurt struck down amendment to Hindu Endowment act on Sep 8, 2006. The link below has many appendices on this.
http://www.bharatjagran.com/bharat-jagran-data/2006/170906.htm
Interestingly, the Hindu of Sep 9 2006, did NOT publish this news. They made a small note on this only on Sep 20th.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006092008080500.htm&date=2006/09/20/&prd=th&
This is secular facism. Facts can be distorted, suppressed for Muslim Vote.
***
Karnataka High court clearly stated this on Sep 08 2006:
“Devotees of Hindu temples provide money for temple purposes and it cannot be spent for non-Hindu causes,” the court observed. The court said the government could have a commission constituted for temple affairs and involve Hindu religious leaders, social reformers and other experts and thereafter proceed to pass a uniform law.
Nandan: Thanks. I will respond to your thoughtful comment (#4) in a day or two and try and do some more research to check the sitaution with regards #5.
Bhaskar: Thanks for your comments. I completely agree with regards #6.
And thanks for digging into the Karnataka High Court order – I will combined the comments in one for ease of reference and readability.
Both of you may find this recent post interesting (re. the tendency to hide or change inconvenient facts/truths):
https://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/07/19/lies-and-half-truths/
Santanu, yes, sometimes we post few comments as these are posted as we think gradually over few hours. Sorry for the troubles.
Being from a left-secular family, whose commitment to secularism was based on principle, not for legitimizing Islamic fundamentalism, there are many many people like us in West Bengal who have swicthed sides.
I think, a serious Hindu activism, BASED ON EQUALITY OF ALL HINDUS IRRESPECTIVE OF CASTE, AND A SOLID ECONOMIC AGENDA WILL DO WONDERS FOR HINDUTVA.
We need some santans who are dedicated to the cause of Bharat-Mata, some good, innovative ways to reach to the people, and some backers from those Hindus who are doing well.
Article 30 Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions
(1) All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
(1A) In making any law providing for the compulsory acquisition of any property of an educational institution established and administered by a minority, referred to in clause (1), the State shall ensure that the amount fixed by or determined under such law for the acquisition of such property is such as would not restrict or abrogate the right guaranteed under that clause.
(2) The State shall not, in granting aid to educational institutions, discriminate against any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of a minority, whether based on religion or language.
Thursday December 22, 08:21 PM
Parliament approves 104th Constitution Amendment Bill (Yahoo News)
New Delhi, Dec 22 (ANI): The Rajya Sabha on Thursday approved the 104th Constitution Amendment Bill seeking reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Castes (OBC) in non-minority unaided private educational institutions.
The Upper House passed the Bill almost unanimously with 172 voted in favour of it, while two members voted against it.
The Lok Sabha had already passed the Bill on Tuesday with 379 votes in favour and one vote against and one abstaining.
While piloting the bill Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said the bill was aimed with providing greater access to higher education, including professional education, to a large number of students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and SCs and STs.
The Bill was the outcome of an all-party meeting that had summoned last August to nullify certain disadvantages created by judgments of the courts.
It was aimed at amending Article 15 of the Constitution, which provided reservation of seats to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in admission to government-aided educational institutions only.
Singh said that Article 30(1) provided the right to all minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice and it was essential that such rights were protected. That’s why the institutions, declared by the state to be minority ones were omitted from the purview of the new provision.
Singh said that the clause would enable Parliament as well as State Legislatures to make appropriate laws for this purpose. (ANI)
Note by Nanadan:
I may have been misguided. Article 30 in fact says that “All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.” The problem is that such right is not made explicit for the majorities. It might have been assumed by the founding fathers that such right already existed for the majority and there was no need to make an explicit provision. However, the lack of such provision for the majority may now be used to bring in state control while the minority rights cannot be touched. Please also refer to the News item above on the 104th amendment. We must note here that the above amendment was passed unanimously. (almost.). What better proof is needed to show that our parliamentarians are paragons of virtue when it comes to vote bank politics and minority rights?
Nandan, your post reminded me of this article that I wrote almost two years back (in Jul ’05). It is long but worth a read, I think (Extracted from my newsletter, Issue #9):
RESERVATION FOR MUSLIMS
Last month (June ‘05), the AP Cabinet approved five per cent reservation for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions and thus made the whole case of reservations for deprived communities stand on its head.
The decision soon came under judicial review, [See “AP HC refers petitions on reservation to larger bench, Outlook India June 29 ‘05”, http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=307515%5D although this may be irrelevant if the government decides to go ahead anyway and brings an ordinance [See “YSR firm on Muslims quota”, Deccan Herald, July 25, ’04 http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/july252004/n1.asp%5D
This in fact looks increasingly likely. As YS Reddy told a delegation of the Delhi-based Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Mosque recently, “This is a humble beginning to achieve our major goal of social justice,” [See “Reservations for Muslims commitment to social justice: Reddy, Jul 3, ’05, http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=308261%5D
I will leave the full ramifications of such a policy for a later issue but this quote from a recent article sums up my feelings:
“…Thus, a part of the genesis of the present state of things lies in the pre-partition British policy of appeasement of Muslim separatism.
Today, with the renewed demand for reservations for Muslims, history has come a full circle. Taking us back to the days when the deadly seed of partition was sown. To a time before the post-Independence generation and of a time which the pre-Independence generation has chosen to forget. Were the voices raised then any different from the noises being made now? No.
Let us not ignore the grim lessons of history” . [See “Towards another partition?”, By Poonam Kaushish in http://www.theshillongtimes.com/A-12-june.html ]
Against this backdrop and amidst the controversy, came another decision on “reservations” that was mostly ignored by mainstream media. In June ‘05, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) got the “blessings” of the HRD Ministry to reserve 50% of its seats (in post-graduate courses) for Muslims.
Interestingly while the under-developed castes and communities /STs have reservations in every institution that is funded (even partly) by the government, the AMU seems to be an exception.
Not only does it not have any reservation for the under-developed castes/communities, it is now attempting to reserve 50% of the seats for Muslims.
K K Ragesh, commenting on the move, in the Jun 19 ’05 issue of “People’s Democracy” [(Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)), Vol. XXIX, No. 25 http://pd.cpim.org/2005/0619/06192005_amu.htm ] wrote
“THE controversial decision of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) authorities and the ministry of human resources development (MHRD) to reserve 50 per cent of the seats in postgraduate courses in the university for Muslims invited extensive opposition from the academic community.
This 50 per cent reservation has been effected for 36 different postgraduate courses and involves 2000 seats. Under the existing rules, 50 per cent of the postgraduate seats are reserved for ‘‘internal candidates’’ (read: AMU graduates) who clear the test and 50 per cent for students from outside. All admissions are on merit and are irrespective of faith.
According to the new decision, the admissions based on common entrance tests would be limited to only 25 per cent of the total seats. While reserving 50 per cent seats for students belonging to the Muslim community, another 20 per cent has been reserved for the graduates from the same university. The vice chancellor will give direct admission to the remaining 5 per cent of the seats. No reservation has been made for the SC- ST students.
The university officials and the MHRD justified the decision by quoting section 5 (c) of the AMU (Amendment) Act 1981, which empowers the university to ‘‘promote especially the educational and cultural advancement of the Muslims of India.” At the same time, however, they ignore section (8) of the same act that categorically says that admission to students should be given irrespective of religious considerations. The decision has been questioned by about 65 teachers from the university itself, which includes noted historian Professor Irfan Habib.
It is for the first time that reservation on the basis of religion is being given in the history of Aligarh Muslim University since its inception in 1920.”
Interestingly, the article cites several instances where both the Congress and Janata Party brought in several amendments to the AMU Act for narrow political gains:
“…in 1981, the Congress government brought another amendment to “promote especially the educational and cultural advancement of the Muslims of India,” which is now being interpreted in favour of giving reservations to the Muslim community in the university. While giving this interpretation, the university and the MHRD ignored the latest amendment, which states that admissions will be done irrespective of religious considerations.”
And although reservations, based on religion, in institutions that are fully funded by the government is a violation of the Constitution, this point has either been lost on the HRD Ministry (as well as the AMU authorities) – or worse, they have chosen to ignore it.
While commenting on the decision, Poonam Kaushish [ “Towards another partition?”, By Poonam I Kaushish in http://www.theshillongtimes.com/A-12-june.html ] wrote:
“Muslim appeasement is the Government’s up-to-the-minute fashion statement. In the garb of meting out social justice and upliftment, the Congress method of wooing the minority community is to grant it 50% reservation in the post-graduate courses of the Aligarh Muslim University. In one fell stroke, turning turtle the 140-year-old University’s tradition of being renowned as one of India’s top seats of learning. In fact, it was exemplary in its refusal to discriminate on religious grounds.”
P.S. Has the BHU ever considered (or will it ever consider) doing something similar for Hindus?
In the context of the above comment, some of you may also like to read these two articles:
Time to nail the Muslim backwardness myth?
and
Literacy rates and “first claims”…
Thanks.
Dear Mr. Shantanu,
It is a privelege to go thru your blog. As usual we continue to howl and scream at the injustice being meted out to the Hindus. None of us are willing to take the bull by the horns as we all like to be on the “Right Side” for at least being on the “mailing list” for at least one party were ministers and others are elbow to elbow with us.
Let each Hindu do one day of selfless service by cleaning up a temple everyday. Maintaining the shoe/chappal stand like they do in the gurudwaras. Let each hindu help in feeding at least one poor person each day. Let each Hindu contribute a measly Rs. 100/- per year towards a trust which is private and does Hindu service. Let each Hindu educate one student per year until the 12th.
Let us do it and then we will find that there will be nobody to put us down. It should start from each one of us and not expect “somebody” to set the ball rolling.
Regards,
V.C. Krishnan
As Sri. Krishnan said, we must do selfless service. There are so many people who have devoted their time to do many good things. There will also be many selfish people around all the time. Doing service to fellow beings is commendable. But that is not enough. We must also “howl and scream” when we encounter injustice.
There must be a leader of the stature of Mahatma Gandhi who can inspire people to rise above petty fighting and unite for a common cause. I am positive in my conviction that Bharatavarsha will produce a great man to lead her people and fight injustice. But the need of the hour is a mass awakening. I am happy to say that ‘Shantanu’s blog’ is a step in that direction.
Dear Shri Krishnan: Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. Your suggestions are commendable and I wish I could do more beyond what little I am trying to do.
Unfortunately time and other constraints come in the way but I am fully supportive of your idea of each one of us doing at least some selfless service wherever possible.
Nandan: Thanks for your comment and encouragement. Like you, I am an optimist….and this blog is a humble, very modest effort in that direction. Thank you for your support.
COMMENT MOVED HERE: https://satyameva-jayate.org/2007/08/01/one-mans-folly-another-victory/#comment-4589
Dear Sirs,
I thank both Shri. Shantanu and Shri. Nandan for their comments. To elaborate further on the matter of injustice, the roots of it should be understood before we take a call on that.
I agree with Shri. Nandan that where injustice is their, we should scream and shout. The question is ‘Is it injustice at all” or is something that we have been a cause for it. We will have to perhaps go through the motions of a complete revamp opf our thinking as to what injustice is at all.
The cause of our feeling of injustice is because we have always relied on somebody else to “bear the cross” and we took cover under it., We never exposed ourselves to the real cause of it. If we look at it objectively, we have to answer a few questions for oureselves.
Who is cause for so many religions to thrive on this soil. Is it our complete lack of interest in our religion/is it our complete freedom of thought or is it a combination of both?
Who is willing to compromise on every aspect of our cultural foundations like even something as small as the “Bindi”?
Who has been the cause of encouraging films where the dominant religion has been condemned and these persons who have so condemned are our heros?
I would like some more elaboration on these points as a source of discussion to strengthen the objective of Shri. Santanu, and would like to stand correceted if wrong.
Regards,
V.C.Krishnan
Hi Krishnan, You said it and you said it well! Thanks. Somewhere along the line, a generation or two of Hindus veered off from our core values in their impatient march to attain certain perceived higher values. Along the way, they got deluded into thinking that the old way of life so central to Sanatana Dharma was, in fact, the logjam which held them back. In the rush to obtain well paid jobs we patted ourselves with a false sense of pride in having mastered a foreign language. Many among us observed the immediate utility of western education and its practicality in mundane life. Our ancestors who were scholars in the fields such as Sanskrit, astronomy, Veda, Ayurveda etc. hesitated to transfer their wealth of knowledge to their successors either fearing rejection or due to their own lack of vision. This resulted in many of our customs becoming ritualistic and symbolic. It became the fashion of the day for the Hindus to be apologetic when declaring their religion. I have come across people who have absolutely no pride in their culture and no qualms about making derogatory remarks about our values. One can go on and on writing about such things.
However, it is heartening to notice a subtle change in the younger generation. The spirit of enquiry is very much alive. Scores of young men have started questioning the wisdom of discarding India’s reservoir of spiritual knowledge and they are eager to experience its depth and sweetness. There is not an iota of doubt in my mind that Sanatana Dharma is eternal; it may be invisible like the Saraswati River in some places; it may be visible like the Ganga in some other. The Ganga waters though polluted to the physical eyes of many continue to remain pure in the spiritual eyes of many more. And I believe there is hope and Bharata Mata will regain her lost glory. Your own call for us to introspect and take corrective action is proof enough that we are still a living species and not doomed for a silent death. India is beckoning her children to lead others by their hand and show them their destiny. She is slowly getting us ready for the change. It is only a question of who will make the clarion call. Let there be no doubt about it. I am convinced it is our destiny. What is destined is sure to happen. Nothing can stop it. Dharmo rakshati rakshitah (He who upholds Dharma is protected by it.) Om Tat Sat.
Dear Shri. Nanadan,
What an enlightining reply to my query. I do not know whether it is telepathy or call it what one may, the same discussion took place last evening at a dinner and my thoughts flowed in the same way you had expressed in your mail.
You have rightly hit the nail on the head by clearly stating that our previous two generations fell prey to the lure of the power and pelf handed thrown like crumbs by the raiders who came in the guise of traders.
It is true and I also feel that as time goes by the eternal truth embodied in the Sanatana Dharma will overwhelm the pettiness of other thoughts. As science keeps growing in leaps and bounds and still finds itself encountering the darkness of the eternal truth, the new generation as it follows the development of these new sciences will keep referring to the “OLD BOOKS” of the upanishads and vedic tratises and will come to understand the depths of what our seers have seen.
In a latest article in th e Corporate Dossier, of the Economic Times dated August, on page 3, the references for a current manager has been our “old Hindu gods” of Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva.
In a recent article, I do not recall where I read it, I shall look it up anyway and find it out, two leading american scientists have stated that the Big Bang Theory is not correct to decide on the creation of the world. On the other hand they have stated that it is because of a Darkness which envelops everything over a period of time and then once again the world come into existence, something to this effect, and they have added that this falls in line with the thinking of the ancient scriptures of India.
You are right. What is destined is sure to happen. Let us use this forum to make it happen.
Regards,
V.C.Krishnan
Secularism (or whatever you call it psudo-secularism, Nehruvian secularism etc) is curse on the nation and Hindus.
In the original Constitution of India, there was no mention of the word secular. It was not needed, this nation was always secular as due to Hindus and their Dharma. MK Gandhi never thought of it, nor by any other stalwart freedom fighters.
The present version of secularism, first started by Nehru in the let 1950s (something around 1959), for his de-Hindunise India design (or to make Hindus atheists like him or convert to other faiths). And then Indira Priyadarshini Khan (fake Gandhi) inserted the term secular in the Constitution by amending it during Emergency days. She knew, this is a potent tool to intimidate Hindus, suppress/oppress their voice, as Hindu and Hindu nationalism is the main enemy of Nehru clan and Congress party and his Leftists friends.
During Nehru and Indira days of rule, they managed regions in North East India transformed into christian dominated and Islam dominated. Now you see, Nagalanad, Mizoram, Meghalaya are pre-dominatly christian (in 1947, there were not more than 10-15 percent chrsitians in these regions.) Indira created these states out of Assam, to make them christian majority states. Manipur, another state (it was predominantly Hindu Vaisnavite Kingdom), is on the way to become chrsitian majority. Asom (Assam) is fast becoming another Kashmir, with over 1/3rd muslim populatiom, mostly from Bangladesh (in 1947, there were less than 10 percent muslims).
Nehru covertly and clandestinely inserted several articles in the Constitution (Articles 25 to 30) to give special privilages to muslims and christians. And purposely kept Hindus out of these clauses,so that they will always come under secular govt control.
The point is that, Constitution of India itself is not secular. It is pro-Islamist-Christian and clearly anti-Hindu.
The essence of secularism is the Common Civil Law (Univeral Civil Law) for all citizens and the nation. Secularism must treat all citizens equally, every citizens is equal before the law. But it is not there in India. Muslims can marry infinite numbers, while a hindu will go to jail if having a second wife. Muslims and christians control their own institutes and mosques/churches, while everything related to Hindus come under Govt control. Is it called secualrism?
Solution: We need nationalism, patriotism, ONE LAW FOR ALL and not bogus anti-hindu secualrism. This word must go from the Constitution and peoples vocabulary. Europeans used that word when they were in dire situations to keep Chruch out of politics and govt.
We need a new Constitution of Bharat (and dump that anti-Hindu booklet) and declare officaly Hindu dharma as major religion of the nation (Malaysia with about 65 muslims call the nation Islamic nation). Mere reactions bring us nothing, we have to fight to get it. We need to create voice, movement to awakening the masses. Hindus need to consolidate themsemves as vote-banks. If we keep sleeping, days will not be far away we Hindus will become like Jews under Nazi-fascist Secularists party.
Dharma rakshati rakshitah (Dharma protects those who protects Dharma).
Vande Bharat Mataram.
May of interest. Please do forward to others.
Cause of origin of Pseudo-secularism in Modern India
http://www.nehrufamily.com/
Dear Krishnan, Nandan and Bharat:
Thank you all for your comments. I will respond to them on my return.
Bharat: Thanks for sharing the links.
The need of the hour is to channelise all our powers towards a goal. Time somebody comes up with workable goals and makes us focus on achieving it.
Recently, St.Stephen college increased the reservation for minorities to 50% and the TV news was showing majority groups feeling distressed abt it. Should the majority be craving for a seat in an institutiton of minorities. Right from schools, it is time that majority groups establish their own institutions of top quality with dedicated teaching staff. After all minority institutions have been built with donations from majority groups. Should this not be our goal to free our children from the need to seek admissions in these institutions?
Dear Sir,
It is this feeling of inadequacy of thought that makes colleges of the sort mentioned feel important.
These were really on the top when the new India was formed, but throughout these past sixty years inspite of all the roadblocks placed by successive governments, many “Bharatiya” schools have come into existence.
The only flaw that this system evokes is that all of us want all these institutions, also to be a clone of the type of the colleges mentioned by Shri. Krishna.
If we really have a sense of pride in ourselves parents should feel proud that their wards are studying or studied in these “Bharitya” schools and colleges and are not the worse for it.
Unless the Parents of children come out of the blinkered vision that only the institutions that were set up by the invaders are true repositeries of knowledge any amount of roof top shouting and breast beating will lead to no where.
By the way I made my wards study only in “Bharatiya” schools and all my family members did the same. None are worse of than many who studied in the colleges of the invaders.
Regards,
vck
@ Shantanu,
ON the issue of temples in Karnataka and being run by the Govt., i have soem first hand experience where my family friend was the Deputy Secretary during the period of 99-2001 of “Mujrai†Dept or the govt dept which runs temples.
I can say by and large at the higher level across say 5year period they tend to maintain a status quo.
It is important to understand that there are very few temples which can claim to generate big time revenues and there are 96% of temples and priests who deepend upon the government grants and salaries. On the question of renovating temples the govt have their own criteria on how they would evaluate every application.
As for the issue of Chruches or Mosques, for a second if one forgets the Haj subsidies, the pattern as explained above for temples is replicabale. rather than getting to technicalities here, i thought of applying a RTI – but i guess there is a group in bangalore who have done this and i am trying to get hold of them for such a data, i shall forward you the same.
Just because one has a soft spot for minorities that is not pseudo secular and in the same context just because one is a hindu advocate he is not communal. The ones who are communal are the ones who build their careers or base their activities on the back of dividing the communities in the name of religion or catse are communal. Also the ones who prey on the insecurities they are communal in my view.
Ashwin: 1] Can you please check with your family friend whether the chart I have shown above is fake or forged?
2] “I can say by and large at the higher level across say 5year period they tend to maintain a status quo.
The data in the chart above is over a five-year period and contrary to what you say, there is no evidence of status-quo. The disbursement to Madarsas, Churches etc is on a clear upward trend over the period.
3] Do you believe that it should be the government’s business to manage temples? Pl. do not answer that “this is the present reality”. I am asking YOUR opinion.
4] If it is the government’s business to manage temples, how can we claim to be “secular”?
6] Do you believe that it is the job of the government to feed priests of “96% of temples” (by the way, what is the source of that precise figure of 96%?)
Look forward to your thoughts.
@ Shantanu
I dont want to get too technical here:
1. I can certainly check and may be help ypu update the chart, next time i am in India.
2. What type of aid are we taking here into consideration? Barring last year, in Karnataka we have not heard complaints on any step motherley traeatment to any religious institutions.
Even the recent issue was to do with giving the administrative right of a lucruative temple to one religious mutt which seems to be pro Yeddyurappa and pro BJP.
3. My opinion is Govt can help, temples/churches/maosques – but i am against government running them.
4. I guess i answered yoru question on my view
5. I dont have any precice figues, but the issue is should the govt be running religious institutions. I was inolved in a process to help rise govt grants to re-construct a age old temple in my village: which has a massive following. During this process i was explained of the govts role and how funds are allocated and used by “Mujrai Dept”
Ashwin: I sense a strong socialist streak in you…and I am curious to understand that. Two follow-on questions:
1] Why should the government “help” a place of religious worship? Particularly in a “secular” country?
2] Do you justify the Haj subsidy?
Shantanu i would not say socialist, but a genuine pragmatist view of politics. It is all about serving the people.I would like to use the best of the “isms” to serve the people.
I dont like to get dogmatic with any “isms”. Hence i maintain the problems India face are multi faceted and it requires a policy that can be adaptable to all sections of the society. That means at various points of time we would have to prioritise certain aspects more than the other. This has to be taken based on the prevailing conditions.
1. I would not have issues in govt help towards religious institutions like temples, mosques and churches – only if there are no means of finding help for it amongst the community.
For example: The temple reconstruction i was involved was a govt, private and public participation. It is again based on the need, cluture and heritage and other factors govt help can be sorted. Not for temple constructiona round the corner or over night.
As for Haj subsidy, at this stage i can only say – i would need to look at the criterion for subsidy. If govt is helping poor muslims in tehir trips to religious places to atain nirvana it should be ok again based on the criterion.
But my personal view is communication with god is ones own self, and we would not need to go to any temple/mosquer/church to pray, we can do so where ever we are. What is more important to me is God and there are various ways to reach the almighty.
Saying this, can i put my views on others? it would be wrong. Hence unless we start educating this tenent of communication with God i am afraid it is a long haul and till then we would need to caterf to people wishes.
If you ask me, why only govt should do this, there is scope for helping our brothers and sisters through private – public participation; this is happenign alebit in minority of cases.
@ Ashwin: When you have a moment, please read this post:
The “right†and the “left†– Shaping the debate
Let us continue the discussion on socialism/ capitalism etc on the link above
Excerpts from Ruined Temples:
30,000 temples are getting less than Rs 5,000 as annual income. Of these many are in dilapidated state and need funds for renovation, according to the HR & CE dept’s policy note (Tamil Nadu).
A M Rajagopalan says that there are 381 temples in the State that are 1,000 years old, 72 of which are very important for their architectural splendor.
“Most of the funds for temple kumbhabhishekham are raised by devotees and not the govt.So, why shouldn’t they be allowed to run the temples themselves?â€
…The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department, through which the State government manages the temples, admits that over 30,000 temples “are getting less than Rs 5,000 as annual income. Among these temples, many of them are very dilapidated, requiring huge money for renovation.” In all, the HR & CE department controls 38,465 temples.
…HR and CE Minister KR Periyakaruppan could not be contacted for his comments.
FORGOTTEN PANEL REPORT FOR BETTER TEMPLE ADMINISTRATION
THE DMK regime in 1989 constituted a five-member committee headed by Kundrakudi Adigalar for recommending measures for better administration of the temples in Tamil Nadu.
…
The panel submitted its report in 1990 but the government never made its recommendations public. The AIADMK regime that followed also did not do anything on the report.
HERE ARE THE EXCERPTS FROM THE REPORT: –
The government should avoid acquiring temple lands even for public purposes. Only when the government is unable to get sufficient lands from other sources, temple lands that are not of any use to the temples can be acquired by paying the prevailing market value.
The committee is of the view that the funds of the temples should not be spent or diverted to non-religious works either directly or indirectly
…As such, the temples should be exempted from income tax Long-term leases (more than 10 years) should be cancelled so that the income of the temples goes up considerably.
The temple lands in urban areas should not be sold out under any circumstance.
…
A special scheme for renovating all historically important temples, visited by saints should be drawn up and all these temples should be renovated within a five-year time frame
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Some tweets and updates
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From the fb page:
As treasures tumble out of the vaults of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, I wonder if “Preservation” & “Safeguarding” will be used as excuses to bring the sacred place under government control? http://bit.ly/kt0eTW
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From philotweepic
TEMPLE MONEY is the asset of the believer-community; It’s no one’s business to grudge the same It cannot be equated to black money
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From varnam_blog:RT @asgekar: If $40bn found in only 1 temple, can u imagine how much was looted from India by invaders Khilji/ Brits?
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From Prahalad Appaji:
Who is updating Media about Treasure Hunt ? Why Court is silent after contempt of court? http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=14153&SKIN=B
Tom Dick and Harry queing up to offer advice http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=14169&SKIN=C
KEEP THE LOOTERS AWAY => http://www.haindavakeralam.com/HKPage.aspx?PageID=14166&SKIN=D
While on this matter, pl read Sanjeev Nayyar’s excellent compilation on “Why should Temples Collections be controlled by Government?” http://bit.ly/kOIuZ2
A shocking excerpt from Should the riches of a temple be used for secular purpose? by Vivek Gumaste, Jul 17, 2011:
Below is a limited but telling list of some high profile instances of chicanery that demonstrate the extent and scope of wrongdoing via the HRCE Act:
– Hindu temples are compelled to contribute 5% of their income to a government controlled discretionary Common Pool Fund.
– In 1997, the Karnataka government exacted Rs 52 crore from Hindu temples but returned only Rs 17 crore; Rs 12 crore were allocated to madrassas and churches and Rs 23 crore were utilized for government programs. The figures for subsequent years till 2002 indicate a similar or even worse disparity.
– In AP, the state government has not denied the charge of appropriating 85% of TTD’s (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams) annual revenue of over Rs 3100 crores.
– Probing an allegation of inappropriate donations made to NGO’s by the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, Justice Tipnis concluded: ”… there is no method or principle followed for particular institutions. The only criteria for selection was recommendation or reference by trustees or the minister or a political heavy-weight, generally belonging to ruling party.”
– In 2010, the Orissa government sold 500 acres belonging to the Jagannath Puri temple at a throw away price of 1 lakh per acre to the Vedanta foundation. Its efforts to sell another 1000 acres were aborted by the High Court.
– In the 1980s, the then Kerala chief minister K Karunakaran ordered the Guruvayur Temple to deposit Rs 10 crore with the state treasury to offset a government deficit. Whether this money was ever returned or not is uncertain. In addition, the temple’s land holdings were decimated from 13000 acres to 230 acres by the Land reforms Act which conveniently excluded non-Hindu institutions.