BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. , Photo Credit: MA Sriram
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy has moved the Bombay High Court to free the Vitthal-Rukimini Temple of Pandharpur in Maharashtra from the control of the state government.
Dr. Swamy, a six-member member of Parliament, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which states, “By taking control of the Pandharpur temples, the government is taking away the rights of Hindus to profess, practice and propagate their religion, and In matters of Hindu religious endowments and manage their own affairs. It is also stated that even though the Pandharpur Temple Act was passed in 1973, the administration was with the previous priest and it was only after 2014 that the government took over the administration of the temple. Took it in hand.
The PIL argues, “The Act denies freedom or autonomy to religious communities for the administration or management of the temple as the role of priest is purely a religious matter, and such interference violates Article 25 (freedom of conscience and free profession , practice) and propagation of religion), 26 (freedom to manage religious affairs subject to public order, morality and health, every religious denomination or any section shall have the right of the Constitution of India).
The PIL challenges the constitutional validity of the Act and states, “The Act infringes upon the Hindu population at large, as it seeks to permanently take over the administration and control of religious and non-religious activities of temples.” seeks to take and vest in the same. officers of the Government indefinitely, thus violating the rights guaranteed under Articles 14 (equality before law), 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India. is responsible for”.
The PIL sought a direction to the court to set up a committee in consultation with priests, representatives of devotees/warkaris and other stakeholders, to ensure that the Vitthal-Rukimini Temples, as per proper rituals and religious rituals, free from government control proper management can be done. ,
On July 7, 2022, Dr. Swamy wrote to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra that the affairs of the temples have been grossly mismanaged in terms of religious offerings and temple rituals, which adversely affects Hindu religious sentiments and their fundamental rights Is. ,
On December 18, 2022, he called upon the Governor of Maharashtra to repeal the Pandharpur Temple Act 1973.