Government should free the muths and temples from its control : Subudhendra Tirtha Shri, Peethadhipati of Mantralayam

Raichur (Karnataka) – Subudhendra Tirtha, Peethadhipati of the Mantralayam pilgrimage in Karnataka, said that the Shri Tirupati temple is a major religious site for Hindus, and the Government should conduct a thorough investigation into the use of adulterated ghee in prasad laddus. A complete enquiry should be conducted to ascertain who is responsible for this and for how long it has been happening. The wrongdoers should be punished according to the law. Additionally, the Government should free muths and temples from the control of the charitable department.

Peethadhipati Shri Subudhendra Tirtha further said that muths and temples are the centres of faith for devotees from every region and are tied to their traditions. They cannot be managed by someone sitting in the capital of the nation or the State. Government should not interfere in the management of temples. It does not have the right to alter their sanctity and traditions.

Decision to free the temples from Government control should be taken by the Union Government, not the States : Ramalinga Reddy, Karnatak Minister

In response to Shri Subudhendra’s statement, Minister Ramalinga Reddy mentioned that there are 1,80,000 temples in Karnataka, out of which 34,000 fall under the purview of the charitable department. This has been the case since the British era, not just now. Muths are not under any Government. It is not the State Government’s job to ensure temples are freed from the charitable department’s control; this decision must come from the Union Government.

Editorial Perspective

All Saints, along with religious organisations and sects, must unite and put pressure on the Government to free all temples in the country which are under Government’s control. Also, a system should be created to manage the temples.

Ministers of the Congress Government have a tendency to ‘speak falsely but insistently’. Does Reddy consider Hindus fools ? The temples are not under the Union Government; they are taken over by the State Government. Since the charity department comes under the State, it is clear that the temples are under the control of the State Government