The recent incident in the southern state of Bharat, where four Hindu priests were arrested highlights the grip of government control over religious-cultural practices within Hindu temples. The priestsfaced allegations of accepting donations (dakshina) from devotees at the Temple, a practice prohibited by rules established by the government of the state. This arrest underscores the profound impact of the outdated Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Act of 1959, which not only dictates the management of Hindu places of worship but also infringes upon traditional customs.
This law, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Act of 1959, which was intended for proper administration, has become a tool for government interference in temple affairs. By controlling appointments, finances, and rituals within temples, the government is essentially dictating religious practices, eroding the autonomy and authenticity of these dharmic institutions. The historical context reveals a pattern of legislation dating back to medieval times, ultimately granting the government unprecedented authority over Hindu religious institutions. This level of control not only stifles religious freedoms but also paves the way for political exploitation, turning temples into arenas for political agendas. The continued enforcement of this outdated law perpetuates the elimination of traditional religious and cultural practices, further marginalizing Hindu community in the south.
In the midst of the discourse on the challenges faced by Hindu temples, two books stand out as valuable resources, offering both insight into the problem and a pathway to solutions. “Temple Economics vol 1” by Sandeep Singh meticulously uncovers the erosion of Hindu dharmic practices, shedding light on the historical significance of these traditions and the systematic threats they face. Singh’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to safeguard cultural heritage and religious autonomy. Complementing this perspective is his second book “A Decade for Temples vol 2,” which presents an approach to addressing these challenges. This book offers hope for the revitalization of Hindu temples, outlining concrete steps toward their preservation and rejuvenation. Together, these works provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand while inspiring action for a brighter future for Hindu temples and their communities.
Shedding light on the historical significance of Brahmins in Bharat the author quotes – “The brahmins were the one all-India caste, they were also the group which preserved the central elements of our traditions. For these very reasons Sanskrit and brahmins were made special targets by the Musliminvaders. From the butchering of brahmins at Somnath by Mahmud Ghaznavi, to being burnt and killed by the sultans, to the pilling up of cutaway sacred threads of the Kashmiri Brahmins under Aurangzeb. Here it must be told that the temple werethe hub of life, the school, the market the meeting place. In every locality the temple was not just the place of worship of course this by itself was the reason enough to destroy them. For it is this mode of worship and things associated with it which gave the community its sense of identity. Striking at the brahmIin men, at Brahmanism was the striking at the mind of the community.To stop brahmins and Brahminical learning became the special targets of the British too,in particular of the scorn of the missionaries.”
Additionally, the Brahmins overseeing temple affairs also held responsibility for economic activities within the region. Records indicate that these priests provided guidance to farmers, utilizing their knowledge of astronomy and observations of monsoon patterns to predict weather conditions. Moreover, they determined optimal times for sowing, selected suitable seeds, ensured crop rotation, and managed water resources according to seasonal needs. Without their indispensable role, the preservation of temples would have been—and even today remains—more vulnerable to destruction.
While in medieval times, with the first invasion onwards, priests were killed before the destruction or desecration of Mandirs. What modern and post-independence Bharat’s secular government did and is doing is to financially and socially ruin them.
It must be recognized and accepted that the sacred rituals performed by archakas/acharyas(brahmins) fall under Hindu Sanatana Dharma practices and therefore are inherently dharmic, distinct from secular practices.
Quoting from the book, it elucidates on the essence of remunerating the pujari(priest/Brahmin) as recommended in the ancient manual for worship, temple building and rituals, among other things, within the traditions of Hinduism called Agama Shastra, “The spirit behind remunerating the pujari as recommended in the Agama is one of honouring and making happy rather than payment for his service. In Vastu Devarapalli the acharyalakshana specifies that the acharya should be happy and content and honoured with dakshina. Infact here the agama is quite visual in its description and brings forth a scenario of the acharya seated on an appropriate seat, wearing all 5 specified ornaments, with a head gear and topcloth, surrounded by similarly attired murtipaas accompanied by the chanting of veda,strota and mantra. He has been properly honoured with dakshina to gladden his heart. In the Vyadhinasanavidanavidhi(healthcare management as well as for the targeted treatment of diseases), the adisaiva officiant who conducts the prescribed rituals for either healing or protection is to be honoured with appropriate dakshina ,to gladden his heart. The agama declares that if the acharya is happy, everything moving, and stationary become happy. After Pusyabhishaka(a ceremony to decorate the deity profusely with flowers, ornaments, cloths), the king should honour the acharya with Dakshina in order to please him. After performances of the Grahayana at one’s home to propitiate the Navagraha, the yajamana is advised to give Dakshina to the acharya in order to realize the benefit of performing the homa.”
Coming back to the revised colonial law, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Act of 1959, which was intended for proper administration, has now become a tool for government interference in temple affairs. By controlling appointments, finances, and rituals within temples, the government is essentially dictating religious practices, eroding the autonomy and authenticity of these cultural institutions to finally making them irrelevant.
The historical context, as presented in thebook by author Sandeep Singh, reveals a pattern of legislation dating back to early Islamic invasions. Islamic law of the time not only justified the destruction of temples but also sanctified taxes like Jiziya on the pilgrims. It wasonly to burden and discourage Hindus to practice their faith and devotion. Colonial times further entrenched government authority over Hindu religious institutions, perpetuating the elimination of traditional religious and cultural practices and further disregarding Hindu communities.
The incident exemplified at the outset highlights the pervasive grip of government control over religious-cultural practices within Hindu temples is not an isolated case. Many priests, often Sanskrit scholars, dedicated to traditional Dharmic duties, struggle with meager salaries, some even lower than those of state-employed class 4 workers. They grapple with providing for their families and financing their children’s education, even facing humiliation through such arrests. Meanwhile, government and political parties benefit from the funds of Hindu temples for their own purposes and to support other religions, all while the pujaris endure hardship. Without pujaris, there would be neither puja nor mandir.
(The writer is a Ph.D in sociology and has authoredRamjanmabhoomi : Truth Evidence Faith&Blood in the Sea :The Dark History of Hindu Oppression in Goa)
