Author: UNI
Publication: The New Indian Express
Date: November 14, 2005
URL: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEU20051113093055
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Ashok Singhal on Sunday said all Hindus must start a Bhaktha mandali in every temple to maintain them in accordance with the age-old religious and cultural traditions.
Alleging that the ideal system which was functioning for thousands of years in the temples was being eroded due to administrative negligence, Mr Singhal told newsmen. The bhaktha mandalis should strive to revive the ideal system of the functioning of the temples.
Demanding the centre to enact a law to free the temples from the clutches of the state governments and release a white paper on temple properties, he said VHP would launch a massive movement to protect temples and their properties if the centre does not respond to their demands.
Stating that 34,000 temples in Andhra Pradesh, 34,000 in Tamil Nadu, two lakh each in Kerala and Karnataka were being neglected by the governments, he said many important temples had been taken away by the archaeological departments for research.
Mr Singhal said 5 lakh acres of temple lands were in the hands of government in the state.
Referring to the Ayodhya issue, he said the VHP would take concrete steps to construct Ram temple during this year. The construction of the temple would be completed in one year after the works start.
Answering a question, Mr Singhal said the arrest of Kanchi seer Shankacharya was an insult to Hindu community.