Temples Should Be Governed by Devotees, Not Devaswom Boards: Governor
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| Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Inaugurates the 59th state conference of kerala temple conservation committee at the Priyadarshini hall in Thiruvananthapuram |
Thiruvananthapuram – Temples, the sacred centers of worship and culture, should be managed by devotees rather than Devaswom Boards, stated Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Recently speaking at the inauguration of the 59th State Conference of the Kerala Temple Protection Committee, he emphasized the need for collective action to restore temple administration to the hands of devotees.
Governor Arlekar urged introspection on why ancient, self-sustaining temples, some thousands of years old, require protection today. He highlighted the historical context, noting that foreign invasions in Bharat were not merely for political dominance but aimed to erode its cultural and intellectual heritage. “Temples, as vibrant centers of cultural exchange, were targeted, their deities destroyed, and forced religious conversions imposed—a practice that persists in parts of the country today,” he stated.
Reflecting on Bharat’s history, the Governor underscored that the nation has never invaded others or desecrated their places of worship, a testament to its adherence to dharma (righteousness). Quoting the Supreme Court’s motto, Yato Dharma Statho Jayah (Where there is dharma, there is victory), he cited the Mahabharata, where Lord Krishna instructed Arjuna to slay the unarmed Karna due to the latter’s unrighteous actions. “When confronted with adharma (unrighteousness), it is our duty to uphold dharma,” he said, drawing a parallel to initiatives like Operation Sindoor, which exemplify this commitment. He highlighted that this responsibility remains critical in the present era.
Governor Arlekar further emphasized that temples are not merely places of worship but also hubs of cultural and intellectual learning. To fulfill this role, he advocated for the establishment of goshalas (cow shelters), educational institutions, and hospitals alongside temples and monasteries. “Through these initiatives, temples can touch every aspect of human life and the environment,” he added.
The Governor was warmly welcomed to the conference with a traditional poornakumbham. The event was chaired by Dr. T.P. Senkumar, who highlighted the irony of temples—meant to alleviate devotees’ afflictions—needing protection themselves. He criticized the increasing governmental interference in temple affairs and the inappropriate presence of revolutionary songs and images of political leaders within temple premises. Dr. Senkumar called for transforming temples into centers of spiritual and intellectual learning to educate future generations about Sanatana Dharma.
The conference also featured speeches by notable figures, including former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan, Kerala Temple Protection Committee State President Mullappally Krishnan Namboothiri, General Secretary K.S. Narayanan, Vice President G.K. Suresh Babu, and Matru Samiti State President Kusumam Ramachandran.