More than 875 temple trustees unanimously demand implementation of ‘Anti-land Grabbing Act’

• Third Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh Conference at Shirdi

• Temple trustees resolve to set up ‘Suraksha Samiti’ for every temple

Temple trustees, representatives, priests, advocates fighting for protection of temples and temple scholars

Shirdi, Maharashtra – The third Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Conference (Conference) was held on 24th and 25th December 2024 at Shri Sai Palakhi Niwara, Shirdi. It was unanimously resolved to set up a committee for the protection of every temple while concluding the Conference. Other ten resolutions were also unanimously passed amid slogans of ‘Har Har Mahadev’, including implementation of ‘the Anti-land Grabbing Act’, prevention of illegal transfer of temples’ lands. Mandir Mahasangh will soon meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis with the demands and Mr Bharat sheth Gogavale, the State Employment Guarantee and Horticulture minister has promised to extend special cooperation in this regard.

More than 875 temple trustees and representatives attended the conference from all over the State, including ‘Shri Vighnahar Ganapati Devasthan Trust’; trustees of Shri Kasaba Ganapati, ‘Gram-devata’ of Pune; Bhimashankar Devasthan, Ranjangaon and Jejuri Devasthan, Rashtrasant Janardan Swami (Maunagiriji ) Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, Shrikshetra Beta Kopargaon; representatives of ‘Akhil Bharatiya Purohit Mahasangh’; Shri Tulaja Bhavani Pujari Mandal; representatives of Sant-pitha etc. All participants decided to strive for the unification of temples in Maharashtra that would be an ideal for the country in future.

Resolutions passed unanimously

• To perform collective ‘aarti’ in temples once in every week to oppose encroachments on temples and temple lands

• The cases related to religious places at Kashi and Mathura should be tried in fast-track court

• All temples in the State should be released from Government’s control and handed over to devotees for managing.

• Maharashtra Government should declare that it would not use the money donated by devotees in temples for developmental work.

• Charity Commissioner’s offices are sending orders to temples for giving donations for various reasons.

• Maharashtra Government should stop such illegal orders and instruct Charity Commissioner’s office to utilise temple funds only for religious work.

• The Government should make proper provision in its budget for immediate revival of the temples which have historical importance and are legendary.

• Maharashtra Government should conduct a survey of encroachment of temples in places of pilgrimage, Shrikshetra and Gada-durga, etc. and take immediate action to remove such encroachments.

• The Government should take note of temples in C category to be upgraded to B category immediately on submission of relevant papers.

• The Government should issue an order to ban sale of meat and liquor in temple premises.

• Temple priests should be given monthly remuneration by the Government.

Discussions on Temple problems

Discussions were held on various problems faced by temples, guidance by experts and group discussions were organised during the conference. Some of the topics of discussions were ‘Making temples as Sanatan Dharmaprachar centres’; ‘Solutions to encroachments on temple lands and grabbing of temples under Waqf Act’; ‘Code of Dressing for temples’; ‘Coordination between Charity Commissioner’s office and temples’, etc.