Vellore, July 21, 2013: The Hindu Munnani on Saturday urged the State government to bring all temples under the control of an autonomous body for better administration.

Addressing a group of reporters here on Saturday, on the eve of the state-wide agitation called by HM demanding waiving of darshan fee in temples, Rama Gopalan, president of the Hindu Munnani, said, “It is unethical to collect fee for darshan in the temples and no other religion practices such a thing.”

Temple advisory councils must be created across the State and retired judges, police officials, army men, and volunteers should be included to listen to the grievances of devotees and temple administrators and redress them in a time-bound manner.

He also opposed the way temples under the control of HR&CE were being converted to into “departmental stores”, which eventually make temples lose their identity and sanctity. “No stores should be allowed inside temples,” he insisted.

He also condemned government moves to take over temple land for setting up commercial complexes, IT parks, etc.

“All temple properties and lands must be retrieved and returned to them immediately,” he added.

Source: The New Indian Express, DT. July 21, 2013.