Vijayawada: A large group of religious leaders, devotees and activists on Sunday (January 5) attended the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP’s) Haindava Sankharavam – an event advocating for increased autonomy of Hindu temples across Andhra Pradesh.
VHP international working president Alok Kumar said the event represented the ‘collective voice of the Hindu community’ and was a declaration of its intent to regain control over religious affairs.
“Temples are the lifeblood of the Hindus,” VHP national vice president Gokaraju Gangaraju said, adding that non-believers and atheists should not hold roles within temple administrations.
The leaders emphasised the need for Hindus to protect temples from perceived threats or external interference. The event featured prominent Telugu spiritual leaders, seers and scholars who expressed concerns about the state of Hindu temples and traditions.
The assembly marks the beginning of a broader campaign for nationwide self-governance in religious affairs.
Attendees at Haindava Sankharavam. Photo: X/@VHPDigital
Demand for autonomous trusts
The primary demand at the event was the transfer of Hindu temple management from the state government to autonomous trusts managed by members of the Hindu community.
Speakers at the event described Hindu temples as more than places of worship, emphasising their role as cultural, spiritual and community hubs. Organisers characterised the campaign as an effort to challenge what they perceive as colonial-era policies that continue to allow state control of Hindu temples, contrasting this with the greater autonomy reportedly granted to institutions of other faiths.
The campaign stems from dissatisfaction among some members of the Hindu community with the current system of government control over Hindu temples. Speakers at the event cited alleged misappropriation of funds, corruption, mismanagement of resources, political interference and erosion of traditional rituals and customs. They claimed that these factors have affected the sanctity and spiritual atmosphere of temples.
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Financial challenges
The appointment of non-Hindus to roles within temple administrations was among the key issues raised at the event. Attendees argued that this undermines Hindu traditions and devotees’ sentiments. Speakers also claimed that the current system has left many temples underfunded and poorly maintained.
Speakers criticised the state government’s practice of collecting a fixed percentage of temple revenues, typically around 5%, for a ‘common good fund’, describing it as unjust and detrimental to the interests of Hindu temples.
They advocated for reinvesting temple-generated funds directly into the upkeep and maintenance of temples, the promotion of Hindu dharma and culture, and the provision of services for the millions of devotees visiting each year.
Many also highlighted the financial challenges faced by temple priests and staff, claiming that the current system has left them underfunded and unsupported.
‘Systemic issues in temple management’
The event also featured a list of demands aimed at addressing what the organisers described as ‘systemic issues in temple management’. These include:
- Removing non-Hindus from temple employment,
- Appointing Hindus to all temple-related roles (including outsourced services),
- Limiting shop contracts near temples to Hindu proprietors.
Additionally, they called for the reclamation of temple properties and lands allegedly encroached upon, with punitive measures for those responsible. Organisers claimed that these demands were aligned with Articles 12, 25 and 26 of the constitution, which they interpret as supporting their right to manage religious institutions without external interference.
Speakers also emphasised that the Hindu community is capable of managing its temples independently with efficiency and transparency, questioning the need for government involvement.
Attendees at Haindava Sankharavam. Photo: X/@VHPDigital
‘Ayodhya model’
Speakers at the event called for a comprehensive overhaul of the current system and cited the Ayodhya Ram temple as a successful model. Managed by an independent trust without government oversight, the temple was commended for its transparent operations.
Govind Dev Gir Ji Maharaj, treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Theertha Kshetra Trust, highlighted the Ayodhya model as a template for the autonomy sought in Andhra Pradesh.
He encouraged Hindus to adopt Shivaji’s leadership qualities and advocated for nationwide temple autonomy similar to that in Ayodhya. Criticising government control, he remarked that decisions as specific as the duration of a pooja should not fall under state jurisdiction.
‘Temple funds should be dedicated to Hindu causes’
Speakers also expressed concern over the allocation of temple funds, arguing that revenue collected from temples should be dedicated to ‘Hindu causes’. They suggested using temple earnings for the upkeep and maintenance of temples, providing services for devotees, and promoting Hindu traditions. They added that ensuring the welfare of priests and religious staff is vital to maintaining temples’ sanctity and effective operations.
Former chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh L.V. Subrahmanyam, who was among the speakers at the event, said that the Endowments Act of 1987 was detrimental to Hindu temples. He argued that the act redefined priests as government employees, subject to transfers and retirement, which ‘violates’ the Agamas, a set of traditional guidelines that mandate a lifelong role for priests. Subrahmanyam said that the legislation has disrupted temple traditions and disproportionately affected smaller temples with limited revenue.
Highlighting the financial challenges, he noted that while over 20,000 temples in Andhra Pradesh generate minimal income, only eight produce significant revenue. Despite a Supreme Court ruling in favour of priests, he said that the laws remain unchanged.
Subrahmanyam likened the legislation to a growing python. “In the past, they let a snake called the ‘Devadaya, Dharmadaya Act’ loose on the temples. That snake has grown into a python and is swallowing the system. The Devadaya Act has left priests on the street. Transfer and retirement is against Agamas. This law should be revoked by the government,” he said.
‘Preservation of Hindu traditions’
Religious leader Chinna Jeeyar highlighted what he described as “drastic reduction of temple properties” from 1.5 million acres to 4.5 lakh acres, attributing this to mismanagement under state control.
Jeeyar also questioned the role of officials in regulating temple rituals. “Should officials decide if pooja should last for five or 30 minutes? Is it not possible for us to manage our own temples?”
He also criticised practices that prioritise VIPs over regular devotees. Citing the example of Tirupati, he claimed that 4.5 lakh people received VIP darshans, leaving ordinary devotees waiting for days. He warned that such practices could lead to disillusionment and conversions to other religions.
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Religious leader Ganapati Sachidananda stressed upon the importance of preserving Hindu traditions and avoiding Western cultural practices. He said, “Being born a Hindu is our good fortune. It is our responsibility to protect temple properties and traditions built by our kings. New Year celebrations, cutting cakes and blowing out candles are not traditions we should follow. I hope the aim of this Haindava Sankharavam is achieved.”
Lyricist Ananta Sriram too voiced concerns about the portrayal of Hindu traditions in films, criticising the film industry for ‘distortion’ of epics like the Ramayana and negative depictions of characters such as Karna, referencing recent films like Kalki. “Some movies are defaming Hindu dharma,” he said. “I apologise to Hindu society on behalf of the film industry. For entertainment, they have twisted the Ramayana of Vyasa and Valmiki.”
Links to the caste census: ‘Hindus first, caste next’
The timing and location of the Haindava Sankharavam suggest strategic considerations. A source within the state wing of the VHP, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Wire that Andhra Pradesh was chosen as the campaign’s launchpad due to its religious significance and as a response to calls for a caste census.
VHP has framed the initiative as a ‘Hindus first, caste next’ effort, with the aim of fostering unity among Hindus based on religion rather than caste.
The campaign also carries political ramifications, particularly for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has historically had a limited electoral presence in Andhra Pradesh. The campaign is part of a collaborative strategy between the BJP and Jana Sena Party (JSP) to expand their influence by appealing to Hindu nationalist sentiments.
Challenges for the BJP
Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister and JSP president K. Pawan Kalyan is increasingly being seen as a proponent of Hindu causes and this alignment between the VHP, BJP, and their allies may energise specific voter groups.
At the conclusion of his 11-day penance following the Tirupati laddu controversy, Kalyan made a similar demand in the ‘Varahi Declaration,’ expressing his wish, on behalf of all Hindus, to establish a ‘Sanatana Dharma Raksha Board.’
While the campaign holds strategic importance, it also poses challenges for the BJP. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key BJP ally, depends significantly on support from minorities and economically weaker sections, who mostly comprise people from historically oppressed castes. This makes it challenging for the TDP to fully endorse a religiously focused campaign without risking alienation of its voter base.
Furthermore, the YSR Congress is expected to leverage the campaign to create political pressure on the TDP. While appealing to religious sentiments may help mobilise certain groups, the campaign could alienate key voting blocs essential to the BJP’s allies.
