Restraint on Hindus for performing ‘puja’ at their religious places is injustice : Ramesh Shinde, National Spokesperson, HJS

Mr Ramesh Shinde, National Spokesperson, HJS

Permission has been granted to perform ‘puja’ at religious places under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as per the report of the Central Parliamentary Committee which means that the Union Government also agrees with the views. The State Governments should now allow puja at religious places if ASI under the aegis of the Union Government has allowed performing puja at religious places under its control. Hindus are not allowed to perform puja at Shri Surya Temple in Konark. Hindus’ inability to perform puja of the Sun Deity despite being in the temple is injustice in a way.

Other people will respect Hindu culture only when Hindus respect it – Ranajit Savarkar, Executive Chairman, Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak

Ranajit Savarkar, Executive Chairman, Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak

It is necessary to respect one’s own culture. The Gharapuri Caves (also known as the Elephanta Caves) represent our culture. For some people, they may be seats of faith and for some people, they may be places of worship. The views may be different, but these caves were sculpted by our ancestors, which is the truth. Nobody will, therefore, like their abuse and insult. Anyone coming to our house and entering our ‘Pujaghar’ without removing footwear is not a proper thing to do. Shoes may be allowed in a church, but wearing them in a ‘Pujaghar’ of a Hindu’s house is not our culture. Others will respect our culture only when we respect it. I appeal to the people of Gharapuri to explain these things to the tourists. Hindus’ self-respect is getting awakened. The confidence created amongst Hindus with the construction of the Shriram Mandir at Ayodhya is spreading amongst all Hindus.

Hindus should be allowed to perform puja at all religious places under the aegis of ASI – Suresh Chavhanke, Chief Editor, Sudarshan News channel

Puja is not performed in the temples which come under the auspices of ASI, whereas namaz is read in mosques which are under ASI. In fact, visitors are allowed to wear shoes at the religious places of Hindus. The condition of the religious place at Gharapuri is no different. Hindus should be allowed to perform puja at all religious places under the aegis of ASI and wearing shoes at these places should not be allowed, are our demands. Gharapuri is predominantly dedicated to the Hindu Deity, Bhagavan Shankar. It is a place of worship for Hindus. Puja is generally performed every Monday at Deity Shiva’s temple, but this place is kept closed on Mondays. Is it done deliberately ? Henceforth, it should be kept open on Mondays.

What is the issue ?

The Elephanta Island is in Uran Taluka in Raigad District of Maharashtra. It is said that the caves at Gharapuri were sculpted between the 6th and 8th centuries. The speciality of this place is there are caves in a big rock where incidents from different stories related to Deity Shiva have been engraved on the rocks. These are huge sculptures and are considered to be the best depictions of Indian sculpture. It is a collection of five caves with sculptures in ‘Shaiva’-style. The sculptures were damaged under Portuguese Rule and the British used them to practise shooting; therefore, most of the sculptures are in a dilapidated state. These caves are under the aegis of ASI and the puja of Shivapindi has been banned at this place.