Seer Urges Government to Keep Hands Off Hindu Temples

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, has called on the central and state governments to avoid interfering in the management of Hindu temples. He criticized the handling of the Tirupati Temple's laddoo controversy and advocated for Dharmacharyas to oversee temple activities. He also highlighted the need for cow protection and questioned the political decisions made in Sikkim.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, urged the central and state governments on Wednesday to refrain from involving themselves in the management and religious affairs of Hindu temples across the nation.

He stressed that Dharmacharyas should independently manage all temple activities, including rituals and festivals.

Commenting on the adulterated ghee incident at the Tirupati Balaji temple during former Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's tenure, the seer noted, "What is happening?" He criticized the TDP-led government for attempting to control the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam management after the laddoo controversy.

The Shankaracharya also reproached the ruling government for treating cows as mere animals, contrary to Hindu beliefs where cows are revered as mothers.

During his two-day visit to Sikkim as part of the "Gaudhwaj Sthapna Bharat Yatra," he questioned CM Prem Singh Tamang's decision to offer the lone Rajya Sabha seat to the BJP, despite Sikkim Krantikari Morcha holding a majority.

(With inputs from agencies.)