Temple vandalization is a burning issue in Andhra Pradesh. A conclave was conducted by important Hindu seers from southern states in Ponnadi village located 50 kms away from the temple city of Tirupati. The conclave was aimed to finalise an action plan to protect and preserve Hindu dharma, its temples and the ‘sampradaya‘.

The main concern of the conclave was the numerous attacks on Hindu temples and murtis in the recent past in Andhra Pradesh. There have been numerous instances of temple desecration and demolition of sacred murtis, burning of temple chariots and daylight robbery of temple properties and ornaments.

The seers said:

There seems to be a sinister method in the madness. Viewed along with the apathy of the state government, the callous attitude of the ruling establishment from top to bottom, the blatantly partisan and insensitive approach of the police, the undue pampering of minorities, the disgusting sway of non-Hindus and anti-Hindus in the administration of Hindu temples, the illegal propagation of other creeds in the holy precincts of Hindu temples, high-handed attempts of proselytisation and rampant conversions by undue inducements and coercion with the connivance of authorities, the scenario is indeed alarming.

The existence of Hindu dharma is actually in crisis in Andhra Pradesh which makes them very distressed. They were extremely upset with Andhra Pradesh government.

They held that it was not right for dharmacharyas to be mute spectators or indifferent particularly at a time when Hindu dharma is in danger. They opined “when unscrupulous political parties jumped in the fray and messed up the situation with their dirty tricks and bickering, when the media, intelligentsia and civil society failed to counter the adharmic and ‘asuric’ forces and when people are perplexed and desperately seeking guidance, the saints and seers should move and respond”.

The seers have sent a stern warning to the state government and its leaders. They also held that they have decided to protect Sanatan Hindu dharma in the best possible way. For proper execution of all these, they have decided to draw up short and long-term plans.

The conclave showed its full support and solidarity to ‘dharmic‘ forces and was about to launch a peaceful and lawful and comprehensive dharmic movement. This movement will be completely devoid of politics.

The conclave has come at a time when the Andhra Pradesh government has set up a Special Investigative Team (SIT). The SIT report held that vandalism was done by goons who were incited by opposition TDP and BJP parties. However, unsatisfied with the SIT response, Hindu seers have decided to draw up a final action plan for all the southern states where temple vandalisation has become a regular affair.

In the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana the attack on places of Hindu worship is increasing day by day. The breaking of the Sri Ram murti at an ancient temple in North Andhra gave them extreme pain and shock. Moreover, this happened at a time when the whole Hindu community is engaged wholeheartedly to build Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.

The conclave also took serious objection to people from other religions propagating their religion at Hindu temples and congregations. The conclave urged the Centre and states to enact laws to protect Hindu dharma. They made a strong statement that the funds, donations and revenue collected by Hindu temples and organisations should be spent for only Hindu religious and philanthropic programmes and not on other government welfare and development programmes.

The conclave clearly stated that the people only who are truly Hindu by heart and those who strongly believe in the “Sanatan Hindu Dharma” should be appointed in the temple boards and governing bodies by the government.

Several important Hindu seers attended the conclave which includes the present seer of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamy, the Sringeri Mutt head Sri Bharathi Thirtha Swamy, representative Sri Gowrishankar, Pejawar Mutt Seer Viswa Prasanna Thirtha Swamy, Humpi Vidyaranya Maha Sansthan Peeth head Sri Vidyaranya Bharathi Swamy, Pushpa Giri Mutt Seer Sri Vidya Sankar Bharathi Swamy, Tuni Satchindananda Tapovan head Sri Satchidananda Saraswathi, Ahobila Mutt Seer Sri Ranganatha Yatindra Maha Desikan’s representative, Bhuvaneswari Maha Peeth head Sri Kamalananda Bharathi, Sri Mamukshujana Peetham head Sri Sitaram and Senior Editor MVR Sastry.

Justice Dr Bulusu Siva Sankara Rao, a former judge of the Telangana High Court and the current judge, Judicial Preview for the State of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravathi, wrote a letter to honourable Bharatiya President Shri Ramanath Kovind to take necessary actions with regard to the rights of Hindu temples and murtis as per the spirit and principles of the Indian Constitution and constitutional morality, which is part of ‘raj dharma‘.

“I hope the erudite pen of Your Excellency being the Hon’ble President of India can do this covered by this present appeal for restorative justice to Hindu deities as per Raja Dharma – which is part of the Spirit of Constitution covered by the Constitutional Morality,” Justice Rao urged.

(Featured Image Source: Freepress Journal)

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