- Many Hindus are unaware of state control over temples, leading to a deep-seated ignorance and resulting apathy within the community.
- Hindu organizations and leaders are working to raise awareness and push for the liberation of temples from state control, but mobilizing sufficient support remains challenging.
- Figures like Sadhguru and J. Sai Deepak are instrumental in advocating for Hindu temple autonomy, using legal and public platforms to highlight the issue.
- Opinions differ on whether temples, once freed, should be managed according to traditional Vedic norms or incorporate modern corporate governance to strengthen their role in the community.
- The future of Hindu temples may involve blending traditional rituals with modern management practices to ensure they remain cultural and spiritual hubs for the community.
[Editor’s Note: The write-up is part of a three-part series on the issue of state control of Hindu temples in India. The first part gave the reader an insight into the legal and constitutional backdrop of the politics of state control of Hindu temples. The second part delved deeper into why Hindu temples must be freed from state control.
This article, the final in the series, will give the reader a peep into the “Free Hindu Temples” movement that has gained traction in India over the past few years. Secondly, the article discusses the future of Hindu temples once they are freed from government control. It gives an insight into the various suggested paradigms for proactive management of Hindu temples by the community itself.]
A typical Hindu in India is often unaware that temples are under state control, let alone involved in efforts to free them. This widespread ignorance has unfortunately become deeply ingrained in the Hindu community. Though significant, apathy is secondary to this pressing issue of ignorance.
When a community is systematically disconnected from the roots of its own culture and civilization, as Hindus have been for centuries, apathy is inevitable. However, this apathy is not born of mere indifference or disillusionment. Instead, it represents the most insidious form of Hindudvesha, or anti-Hindu sentiment, that Hindus have internalized, leaving many unconcerned about the condition of their places of worship.
The “Free Hindu Temples” movement’s primary focus in India has been raising public awareness. Hindu advocacy organizations such as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Hindu Janajaguruti Samiti, and Reclaim Temples have been at the forefront of educating people about this issue. Prominent Hindu spiritual leaders like Sadhguru and legal activists like Supreme Court lawyer J. Sai Deepak have also played crucial roles in highlighting the need to free Hindu temples from state control.
The issue must become a significant part of the election discourse to pressure the government to pass a national law freeing Hindu temples. Hindu advocacy groups in India are working towards this goal. However, awareness among the Hindu community about issues affecting their culture and civilization remains alarmingly low, suggesting that it will take time to mobilize sufficient support to pressure the Indian government into action politically.
Despite this, a positive start has been made. While national legislation to free Hindu temples is not yet imminent, some progress has been made at the local and state levels. Numerous temples have been liberated from state control thanks to the tireless efforts of Hindu rights activists and organizations dedicated to this cause.
The following section will review some of the progress made on this issue.
Free Hindu Temples Movement Gaining Ground
When it comes to freeing Hindu temples from state control, it’s more effective to assess progress by examining specific instances on the ground rather than looking at the overall picture. After all, it’s the accumulation of numerous small victories that eventually creates significant change.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has been a key player in the free temple movement in India. Through their targeted campaigns focusing on individual temples across the country, the HJS has successfully exposed widespread corruption within temples under government control, curbed malpractices, and advocated for implementing dress codes in Hindu temples. [1]
The HJS website offers a comprehensive account of the many scams and corruption cases uncovered in temples managed by the state across India. The Times of India reported one of the most recent cases on their site in March 2023. [2] According to this report, a survey by the Karnataka endowment (Muzrai) department revealed that at least 625 acres of land belonging to temples under its control had been encroached upon. The survey covered over 5,700 temples, but the report suggests that the actual figure of encroached land is likely much higher, as the publicized data does not account for all instances of encroachment. [3]
The HJS website also lists a 9-point manifesto of what Hindus must demand from the government vis-à-vis Hindu temples. The manifesto includes some extremely pertinent demands such as:
- The government should fix a monthly stipend for temple priests.
- a declaration from the government stating that temple property will not be used for developmental purposes.
- demand for immediate survey and removal of encroachments on pilgrimage centers and temples.
- The government should comply with the court’s orders by liberating the temples that were taken over by the government. [4]
“Reclaim Temples” is another significant Hindu advocacy organization focused on freeing Hindu temples from state control. Their approach involves targeting specific legislation in each state to advance their cause. Reclaim Temples also expands the narrative to include a comprehensive review of disputed sites where ancient Hindu temples were destroyed by Islamic invaders and replaced with mosques. The movement, therefore, aims for a broader reclamation of ancient Hindu temples whose lands were seized by invaders, alongside their primary goal of liberating existing temples from state control. [5]
Additionally, Reclaim Temples maintains a dedicated X (formerly Twitter) handle that provides regular updates on ancient Hindu temples across various states in India that are currently in a state of disrepair and require urgent preservation. [6]
The Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) has also made significant strides in raising awareness about this critical issue[7]. Their mission statement includes:
- Taking all necessary and appropriate legal and non-violent actions against all policies, laws, and activities undertaken by the government, individuals, and/or any organization adversely affecting Hindu religious institutions.
- Establishment of a ‘Hindu Temple Governing Body’ that would take necessary legal steps to ensure all Hindu temples across India become free of state control.
- Revive and renovate old and dilapidated temples.
- Take steps to prevent the government or individuals’ illegal activities, encroachment, or takeover of temple property.
The GHHF has done enormous ground-level work across India, saving temple lands from encroachment and helping temples develop a charity ecosystem for the Hindu community. They have also played a pivotal role in raising the issue of state control of Hindu temples on a global platform and thus mobilizing the Hindu diaspora for the cause. In 2012, the GHHF organized an International Symposium on Save Hindu Temples in Dallas, USA. Earlier in 2007, the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation organized a demonstration against the Endowment Act of Andhra Pradesh during the then-state Chief Minister’s visit to Chicago on May 6, 2007. Furthermore, a Public Forum was organized in Hyderabad in June 2007, where opinions were presented by multiple speakers, including Hindu Saints, and the government of Andhra Pradesh was urged to release the temple back to Hindus.
Renowned Hindu spiritual leader and founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru, has been a prominent advocate for the Free Hindu Temples movement, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where Hindu temples have suffered the most under state control, as highlighted in Parts 1 and 2 of this series.
During an event in February 2024, Sadhguru made a renewed call to action, urging the liberation of temples from government control. He highlighted the irony of India calling itself a secular country while most Hindu temples are managed by the government, run by government clerks, and are systematically deteriorating. Sadhguru emphasized that these temples, which have served as centers of art, music, culture, and spirituality for thousands of years—long before modern machinery existed—are now being wholly decimated under state administration.[8]
Sadhguru has a formidable follower base among English-speaking Indian youth. He is one of those Hindu Gurus who communicate in fluent English and have wielded enormous influence globally. Thus, Sadhguru’s advocacy for freeing Hindu temples from state control could be a game changer, especially in mobilizing youth support for the issue. He enjoys a massive fan following on social media and has repeatedly raised the issue through multiple channels, such as media interviews, talks, social media posts, etc. In an interview given to CNN News 18 in 2021, Sadhguru also chalks out a roadmap for freeing Hindu temples from state control:
See because this is a complex issue. It can’t be all, some 36,000 temples can’t be handed over tomorrow morning. All right. So you have to form a state-level board of the community with responsible people who are not coming there for the money that is there or whatever wealth that is there. There are people who are successful, who don’t care about what the temple has; there is some devotion in their hearts. You form a trust of that kind of people for the state and then for every city, every district, whatever you form, more trust. This is a long process. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. I don’t mind if it takes four years or five years, but the process should begin at least, by intent, the intent at least you must show. I can understand the process is complex, it needs to be done in a graduated way. If you don’t do it in a calibrated way, it can become a mess. [9]
Sai Deepak, a Supreme Court lawyer and author, is another influential figure in the “Free the Temples” movement. He offers a profound legal perspective to the debate, conducting numerous talks and interviews to educate the public about the complexities of state control over Hindu temples and proposing strategies for their management once liberated from government oversight. Deepak has been particularly active in addressing legal challenges related to the Sabarimala temple complex in Kerala. He is recognized for advocating for the Dharmic principles in the Sabarimala case. During the Kerala High Court hearing of the Sabarimala Temple priest appointment case in February 2023, J. Sai Deepak presented several crucial arguments. Representing the “People for Dharma” Trust, he asserted that external interference in the temple’s affairs must be prevented at all costs. He maintained that the appointment of the Chief Priest is inherently religious and does not infringe upon the fundamental rights guaranteed by Articles 14, 15(1), and 16(2) of the Indian Constitution.
The case was initiated after several petitions were filed challenging a notification issued on May 27, 2021, by the Travancore Devaswom Board. The notification invited applications exclusively from Malayala Brahmins for the position of Chief Priest at the Sabarimala Temple.[10]
Electoral Power: Lessons from Recent Elections
The most effective way for the public to draw the government’s attention to an issue in India is by making it an election issue. That’s how democracies function. If voters create the impression that failing to address a particular issue will cost a political party significant votes, they can be fairly confident that the party in power will act on those promises. It’s always a bit of a gamble, but that’s part of the process.
This is exactly what happened in the hill state of Uttarakhand in 2021, when the ruling BJP government scrapped the contentious “Devasthanam Board Act,” effectively freeing 51 temples, including the renowned Hindu shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, from state control.
The Devasthanam Board was established in December 2019 by the BJP government led by Trivendra Singh Rawat. The move to bring 51 Uttarakhand temples, including the Char Dham (four holy shrines in Hinduism), under state control was met with widespread opposition from sages, seers, and Hindu organizations nationwide. Trivendra Singh Rawat, who initiated this move, was replaced by Teerath Singh Rawat as the state’s Chief Minister. As the agitation against the decision intensified, Pushkar Singh Dhami, who succeeded Teerath Singh Rawat as Uttarakhand CM, established a High-Level Committee to study the issue and provide recommendations. The Committee reportedly recommended the dissolution of the Board, considering public sentiment and various stakeholders’ concerns in managing these temples.
Thus, in December 2021, the Pushkar Singh Dhami government dissolved the Devasthanam Management Board. The prevailing view then was that the state government was forced to take this decision given the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled in Uttarakhand in March 2022. [11] [12]
Similarly, the Shivraj Singh Chauhan-led BJP government in Madhya Pradesh announced its decision to liberate state temples from government control in April 2023. Chauhan declared that the government has decided to relinquish control over state activities, and priests, instead of collectors, will conduct the auction of temple land.
In May 2023, the Madhya Pradesh government officially permitted temple priests to sustain their livelihood using the income from temple-owned agricultural land. According to this new decision, priests can utilize the income generated from up to 10 acres of agricultural land associated with the temples they manage. If the land exceeds 10 acres, priests can keep the income from the first 10 acres, while the proceeds from the remaining land must be deposited into the temple’s account under the new provisions.[13]
Madhya Pradesh remains under BJP rule but with Mohan Yadav as the new Chief Minister, who succeeded Shivraj Singh Chouhan in 2023. Whether the state government will take further concrete steps to free temples from state control following the previous Chief Minister’s announcements remains to be seen. However, an interesting pattern is emerging. Hindu issues have played a significant role in successive local elections in both Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. There is also considerable local awareness of these issues, which means the state government is unlikely to make decisions that could alienate the broader Hindu community.
The situation is starkly different in South Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where Christian conversions have occurred at an alarming rate since independence. In these states, the local Hindu community, in general, seems largely disinterested in freeing Hindu temples from state control, possibly to appear secular. Furthermore, the fact that staunchly anti-Hindu Communist regimes have consistently governed these states adds to the challenge, diminishing hopes for any significant progress in this regard.
However, in the anti-Hindu South, where it has been challenging for Hindu issues to gain prominence in elections, the legal route has proven to be more effective in regaining control of temples from the governments. A landmark example of this is the Supreme Court’s judgment in July 2020, which upheld the rights of the Travancore Royal Family to manage the ancient Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala. This judgment overturned a 2011 Kerala High Court verdict that had directed the state government to establish a board to take control of the temple’s assets and management.
The Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, originally built in the 6th century and reconstructed in its present form in the 18th century by the Travancore Royal House, has long been under the control of a trust managed by the erstwhile royal family. The temple, with its deep historical and cultural significance, had been embroiled in controversy over its management, with the Kerala government seeking control through the formation of a Devaswom Board. The government cited alleged financial irregularities under the administration of the royal family as justification. However, after a nine-year legal battle, the Supreme Court’s ruling was a significant victory for the royal family and for the broader principle of Hindu self-management of religious institutions.[14]
Call for National Legislation
India endures the consequences of a self-imposed, one-sided “secularism” on a daily basis, with Hindu religious institutions becoming the de facto casualties of this unbalanced approach. The fact that no government to date has dared to introduce a Bill addressing state control of Hindu temples in the Indian Parliament is a testament to the sensitivity of the issue and the extent to which Hindus have been taken for granted in a Hindu-majority nation.
Numerous attempts have been made by private members to introduce Bills that seek to prohibit state control of Hindu temples altogether, but none of these efforts have progressed to the point of being debated in the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of the Indian Parliament. This reflects the calculated political stance of all parties in India, regardless of their ideological leanings, when it comes to this particular issue. While they may make occasional concessions under public pressure—such as freeing a few temples in certain states or offering assurances to reduce state control—every subsequent government has sought to maintain a firm grip on India’s Hindu temple ecosystem. As many experts have pointed out, this persistent control is closely tied to the immense wealth associated with many of these temples.
One such private member’s Bill to free Hindu temples was introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2019 by BJP MP Satyapal Singh. However, the Bill was effectively shelved, as it was never brought forward for debate in Parliament. Satyapal Singh reintroduced the Bill in 2019, indicating that he had made similar attempts in the past. Interestingly, if one searches for “Satyapal Singh Hindu temples” on Google, there are no relevant results about this Bill on the first page, reflecting how little attention this effort has received.
On YouTube, however, there is an excellent debate hosted by the Indian news channel Times Now in 2019, following Satyapal Singh’s reintroduction of the Bill. While a detailed discussion of the Bill’s components is beyond the scope of this article, those interested in learning more can watch the Times Now video, which features Satyapal Singh himself discussing the key aspects of the Bill he proposed to free Hindu temples.[15]
The near-total absence of news about this Bill in Google search results highlights the profound apathy towards Hindus and their issues. Imagine an alternate scenario: if mosques or churches were under state control in India, and a Bill was introduced to free them, not only would the Indian media be all over it, but the international media would also cover it extensively for weeks. If such a Bill had been stalled in the same way, the Western media and global think tanks would likely label it a “human rights violation of minorities,” forcing the Indian government to debate the Bill in Parliament. But in the case of Satyapal Singh’s Bill, which sought autonomy for the religious institutions of marginalized Hindus, the issue faded away quietly without causing a stir.
The Road Ahead
Another critical question is what happens to Hindu temples in India once they are freed from state control. Many major temples, particularly in South India, have been under state control since independence or even earlier in some cases. Therefore, it’s not simply a matter of handing back administration to the original committees, as many of these no longer exist.
Opinions on this matter vary widely. Some Hindus believe that temples should be managed traditionally, adhering to the norms established during Vedic times, with management carried out according to the jaati-based protocols and codes historically associated with each temple. Many prominent Hindu temples, particularly in South India, have very specific rules about who can conduct rituals. Contrary to common belief, Brahmins do not always hold these privileges; the reality is far more complex, as each temple has traditionally been associated with a particular jati. This intricate system reflects the deep cultural and religious significance embedded in the management of these temples.
Another group of Hindus believes temples should be managed like modern-day institutions, incorporating elements of corporate governance. This perspective is gaining traction, especially in light of the growing intensity of aggressive attacks on Hinduism and the large-scale religious conversion of Hindus in India. Proponents of this view argue that temples should also serve a political function, becoming financially robust enough to fund community development initiatives—such as education, healthcare, the propagation of Hindu culture, and the patronage of Dharmic arts, music, and cultural forms.
The solution likely lies somewhere in between these two approaches. In the 21st century, Hindu temples do need to adopt some level of corporate governance and reinvest within the Hindu community. Moreover, it’s time for temples in India to become focal points for raising awareness about issues affecting the broader Hindu community. All of this can be achieved without compromising on Dharmic principles. The aspect of worship and rituals should remain intact, following traditional protocols, while the management and outreach of Hindu temples can be approached with a more modern and strategic perspective.
It would be fitting to conclude with a few suggestions offered by American author and researcher Stephen Knapp, who is well-known for his writings on Vedic culture and spirituality, regarding the management of Hindu temples by Hindus:
- Regular temple classes for all age groups to enable a better understanding of Vedic traditions and philosophy.
- Classes should initially revolve around popular topics like Yoga, Ayurveda, jyotish, and Vastu. This strategy is a good way to get people interested in learning more about Hindu Dharma since lay people are already aware of these topics.
- Temples should offer regular courses in learning the Sanskrit language.
- Temple priests should be well-trained both in Vedic traditions and modern education.
- Temples should focus on youth-centric activities to help young people become rooted in Vedic culture and traditions.
- Temples should host creative activities to engage the youth, such as storytelling sessions, drama, and performances, making them watch videos on stories from the holy epics, workshops on Vedic principles, and Mantras and Slokas to chant.
- Temple exhibits, gift shops, outreach programs, spiritual libraries, support groups, etc. [16]
Citations
[1] HJS’s Campaign to Free Hindu Temples from Government Control – Sanatan Prabhat; https://sanatanprabhat.org/english/80485.html
[2] Free Hindu Temples – Hindu Janajagruti Samiti; https://www.hindujagruti.org/free-hindu-temples
[3] Survey: Some 625 acres of temple land encroached in Karnataka | Bengaluru News – Times of India; https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/survey-some-625-acres-of-temple-land-encroached-in-karnataka/articleshow/98376442.cms?from=mdr
[4] Free Hindu Temples – Hindu Janajagruti Samiti; https://www.hindujagruti.org/free-hindu-temples
[5] Articles | #ReclaimTemples; https://reclaimtemples.com/articles/
[6] Reclaim Temples (@ReclaimTemples) / X; https://x.com/ReclaimTemples?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
[7] Welcome to SaveTemples.org! Mission to Protect and Preserve Hinduism and Hindu Temples Worldwide. | A project of Global Hindu Heritage Foundation [GHHF] USA; https://www.savetemples.org/post/welcome-to-the-global-hindu-heritage-foundation/1
[8] Sadhguru returns to ‘free temple’ movement >> Swadharma; https://swadharma.in/sadhguru-returns-to-free-temple-movement/
[9] (26) Free Hindu Temples from Govt Control – YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lua5F0T3m70&t=2s
[10] J Sai Deepak makes five critical points during argument in Sabarimala temple priest appointment case – Oneindia News; https://www.oneindia.com/india/j-sai-deepak-makes-five-critical-points-during-argument-in-sabarimala-temple-priest-appointment-case-3534830.html
[11] Uttarakhand govt dissolves ‘Devasthanam Board’, scraps Act ahead of polls; https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttarakhand-govt-dissolves-devasthanam-board-scraps-act-ahead-of-polls-1056154.html
[12] Dhami govt finally announces dissolution of Devasthanam Board | Garhwal Post; https://garhwalpost.in/dhami-govt-finally-announces-dissolution-of-devasthanam-board/
[13] Shivraj Singh Chouhan starts to make good his promise of govt relinquishing control of Temple activities: Read about latest cabinet decision that would help priests; https://www.opindia.com/2023/05/shivraj-singh-chouhan-mp-govt-big-step-free-hindu-temples-govt-control-cabinet-decision-priest-agriculture-land/
[14] Padmanabhaswamy Temple case: Supreme Court verdict on Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple; All you need to know | India News – Times of India; https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sc-set-to-announce-on-sree-padmanabhaswamy-temple-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/76932542.cms
[15] (27) Bill tabled to ‘Free’ Temples; Who behind this ‘Historic Wrong’? | India Upfront – YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhYriyDFpsg
[16] Vedic Temples: Making Them More Effective; http://stephenknapp.info/vedic_temples_making_them_more_effective.htm
