HVK Archives: Undue interference (letter)
Undue interference (letter) - The Observer
Gopal Bhargava, New Delhi
()
September 22, 1998
Title: Undue interference (letter)
Author: Gopal Bhargava, New Delhi
Publication: The Observer
Date: September 22, 1998
In an interesting paper "Do not allow meddling with Vaishno Devi
Shrine", Mr Jagmohan, member of Parliament, has rightly pointed
out that a few vested interests of Jammu and Katra are out to
ruin the great edifice of reform which was creatively conceived
and built ht the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Complex. It had won the
admiration and gratitude of millions of the Mata's devotees from
all over the country and abroad.
These interests have floated a proposal in total violation of the
underlying objectives of the reform and letter and spirit of the
Supreme Court judgement in the case to bring in some persons from
the backdoor into the affairs of the shrine and siphon off a huge
sum of money from the shrine on a permanent basis.
To attain their ends, an amendment to the Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine Act is intended to be carried out and a cabinet sub-
committee has been constituted for the purpose. I feel that this
proposal is not supported by the people. Therefore, any decision
by the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet sub-committee concerning the
amendment of the Act will be anti-people and anti national.
I feel emphatically that the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1986,
is commendable. In the case of Baridars litigation, the Supreme
Court had upheld the constitutional validity of the Mata Vaishno
Devi Shrine Act and ruled that "the supervision permitted in the
Act is to ensure proper, efficient, elective and responsible
administration and management of the shrine and its properties".
Keeping the judgement of Supreme Court concerning the validity of
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1986 the cabinet sub-committee has
no authority whatsoever to distort religious values by allowing
the meddling of persons in the management of Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine.
This would lead to the prevalence of rampant corruption,
maladministration and would ruin the economic, environment and
ecology of the region. It would also destroy the religious, moral
and social value system of our Indian culture.
The cabinet sub-committee is likely to hurt the religious
sentiments of all Hindus by enabling the meddling of persons in
the management and which would siphon off the public offerings
for their own selfish interests. This would amount to violation
of Supreme Court judgement and Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act,
1986.
Therefore, the cabinet sub-committee should not create a
situation of mismanagement of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
Let rationality and logic prevail In the cabinet sub-committee
vision and let it not break down the sanctity of already existing
administration at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. Any pronouncement
of cabinet sub-committee should be treated as contempt of Supreme
Court judgement.
Further, the Supreme Court should take strict action against any
Irreligious attitude in the so-called amendment of Mata Vaishno
Devi Shrine Act, 1986 by the cabinet sub-committee.
It is heartening to note that Rs 5 crore to Rs 7 crore of shrine
funds are being invested annually for economic and environmental
upgradation of life in the region. The number of pilgrims has
increased from 4 lakh to 44 lakh per annum. There is an
Imperative need to appreciate the sacred religious authority.
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