Taking over trusts

Claiming that private trusts are incapable of handling religious crowds and their funds are mismanaged, the Government of Maharashtra recently appointed the 15th Law Commission to formulate a draft bill to take over the management and regulation of temples and religious institutions, mentions the Afternoon Despatch and Courier (ADC) of March 5, 2007. This decision came in the wake of the stampede at the Mandhardevi Temple in Satara district.

The government’s decision provoked over 2,000 citizens belonging to various religious trusts to protest at the Parel grounds on March 6, more so since mosques and chur­ches have been exempted. Religious institutions and trusts are unhappy and allege that the government is biased toward Muslims and Christians. Some fear that the government wants to earn revenue in the name of the trusts. Chanchal Chaudhuri, member of the Mahalaxmi Temple Trust said, "The present laws are enough to help the temple to manage the devotees and the festivals. There is a need to make stricter laws for proper management. But, giving entire control to the state government is not a right move,” notes the ADC write-up.