Conduct inquiry through CID into misappropriation of funds in managing temples : Strong opposition by devout Hindus to the Govt taking over temple management
Demonstrations staged at Gargoti (Dist. Kolhapur) against likely take-over of Sant Balumama Devasthan
(Credit – Sprouts)
Gargoti (Dist. Kolhapur), 17th January – Demonstrations were staged by ‘Sadguru Balumama Devasthan Sanrakshak Samiti’ and ‘Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh (Mahasangh)’ at Kranti Chowk, with a lot of enthusiasm for the demands, viz. to conduct an inquiry into misappropriation of funds of this Devasthan and to prevent the Government from taking over its management. The demonstrating devout Hindu activists, and devotees resolved to continue the agitations through ‘Mahasangh’, till the Government doesn’t take stringent action against the corrupt trustees, administrators, Government officers, and employees involved in this scam.
The demonstrators submitted a memorandum of demands to Tehsildar Ashwini Varute. Mrs Varute assured to hold a meeting with the trustees and discuss the demands and promptly forward the memorandum to the District Collector.
More than 150 demonstrators including members of ‘Balumama Halsiddhanath Sevekari Sanstha’, ‘Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Khatik Samaj’, ‘Mule mama Devasthan Bhakta Mandal’, ‘Mule Mama Devasthan’- Trustees, members of ‘Sant Balumama Devasthan’, Ujlaiwadi, besides activists of HJS, Sanatan Sanstha, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction and BJP participated in the demonstrations. HJS members Rhushikesh Gurjar and Babasaheb Bhopale did compeering of the programme.
Views expressed by some of the office bearers of various organisations and parties
Sunil Samant, Shivashahi Foundation and Kolhapur city convener, MNS – Action has not been taken against the guilty so far, even after publishing in newspapers about corrupt practices followed in this Devasthan. Every Hindu must prevent handing over the management of temples to corrupt people who advocate secular ideology and atheists. Devotees should manage Devasthan.
Nikhil Mohite, President, Balumama Halsiddhanath Sevekari Sanstha – The adversaries must have realised through these demonstrations that corrupt practices cannot be hidden for long. They should note that the agitations would spread to every village.
Sunil Ghanwat, Coordinator, Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh – All devotees should oppose the malpractices taking place in Sant Balumama Devasthan which have been exposed now. Sant Balumama has chosen us as a medium to fight against corrupt practices. It is, however, not our intention to defame the Devasthan. We have been fighting against malpractices observed in the management of many temples and opposing them in a lawful manner. No innocent should be punished and no guilty should be spared is our demand. Malpractices should be investigated through the State CID. The Government has been managing Shri Vitthal Mandir for 38 years; still, no records are maintained about ancient valuable items and ornaments etc. There is corruption in making ‘prasad-laddus’, building washrooms, and Bhakta-Niwas, library, etc. There is no guarantee of managing Sant Balumama Devasthan without corrupt practices if taken over by the Government. The temples are not run properly when managed by the Government; therefore, we oppose it.
Raju Yadav and Sambhajirao Bhokare, Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction – All devotees should unite and raise a voice against malpractices in Sant Balumama Devasthan and Government taking over management. The demonstrations will be carried on till every misappropriated dime is recovered from the scamsters.
Babasaheb Bhopale, Coordinator, Sadguru Balumama Devasthan Sanrakshak Kruti Samiti – These agitations are to prevent the Government’s interference in managing temples across the State and for our demand to provide basic facilities to devotees.
Dr Mansingh Shinde, Sanatan Sanstha – The divine energy generated in temples by performing religious rituals is destroyed due to the Government taking over the management of temples. Honest devotees should manage temples.
Participating eminent personalities
Mr Tukaram Desai, Gargoti Taluka Coordinator, ‘Sakal Maratha Samaj’ and its President Nandu Shinde; Grampanchayat member Sachin Desai; Mr Ashok Patil and Mrs Seema Gore of MNS Kagal Taluka Chief and Women-Front Chief respectively; Mr Raju Yadav, Karveer Taluka Chief of Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction; Mr Anandrao Paval, Regional Vice President, ‘Bhrashtachar Virodhi Janajagruti Samiti’; Temple Priest Gangaram Chavan, and Namdev Shinde, Sujit Mali, Appasaheb Kurade, Sada Belgaonkar of ‘Mule Maharaj Devasthan’; Mr Uttam Kambale, President, ‘Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Khatik Samaj’; and its member Machurlikar, etc.
Various demands were made on the occasion such as a proper parking space for vehicles of devotees, clean drinking water, health and other basic amenities and lodging facilities for devotees coming from far-off places. Free washrooms for devotees on Murgud-Mudaltitta Road; proper management of goats; keeping proper records of lands donated by Sant Balumama’s devotees and using them for religious purposes; providing non-stop food service for devotees, etc.
Highlights
Sant Balumama’s devotees from Kolhapur District joined the demonstrations in large numbers. People passing by the road were curious to know the reasons for the demonstrations. Slogans raised by the participating devout Hindu activists and devotees charged the whole atmosphere, and there was saffron colour seen everywhere.