Thursday, December 30, 2010

[GHHF] Sabarimala pilgrims sleep like beasts on the way side


[GHHF] Sabarimala pilgrims sleep like beasts on the way side; Face inadequate facilities; Constantly fleeced by many shops, hotels, buses, airlines; Hindu Temples must be freed from government control
Sabarimala Pilgrim facilities
“ … the amenities for pilgrims at Sabarimala are pathetic… that pilgrims sometimes slept on the wayside like beasts and drank the highly contaminated water from the Pampa.” Buta Singh, the chairman of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee, January 1, 2004.
Haj Pilgrim Facilities
"The pilgrims are provided air tickets and boarding cards besides Custom clearance, security check, Medical check-up, cargo handling and currency exchange are done at the Haj House," Mr.A G Shahbaz, October 20, 2009.
            These two pilgrimages provide a striking comparison with regard to the number of people attending, the amount of money government spends, the quality of amenities provided to these pilgrims, the money generated by these pilgrims to the country of their origin, the amount of money they spend to promote the Indian economy, and the government’s discriminatory policy toward these pilgrims.  
            On December 27, 2010 Sabarimala Mandala Puja was completed. It was started on November 16. The temple is reopened for Makaravilakku festival on December 30, 2010. Ayyappa devotees undertaking the Sabarimala pilgrimage increasingly come from out of state of Kerala mainly from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In fact, they come from many parts of  India. Some come from abroad, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Trekking though the hard roads, valleys, and peaks of the Sabari Hill is difficult, intricate and complex. It takes a lot of energy, determination, faith, conviction and will power to go thorough nearly two months of pilgrimage. The passion, the ecstasy and enthusiasm of millions of devotees undertaking this sacred of people is exceptional knowing the amount of travel they have to make to visit Ayyappa Temple. Sabarimala, which is situated over 467 meters above sea level, is unique in terms of its geographical location.
An estimated 50-55 million pilgrims attended the Mandala Puja days at Sabarimala in 2009. It is expected that as many as 60-65 million devotees attended the Mandala Puja in 2010.  The average money they spend per person to visit Sabarimala may be as much as Rs.2000 which includes the travel from their native places, food, accommodation, puja items, clothes and other personal items.
On one day alone (January 14, 2007)five million Hindu pilgrims believed to have paid homage at Sabarimala Shrine in Kerala, India.
There was an increase of 35 per cent in revenue in 2007 while comparing with last year during the November-December period. In the number of visitors, the increase is of 19 per cent. These figures show the need for immediate developmental works in Sabarimala. But there are agencies like Forest Department which cry for tigers and forests,'' alleges G.Raman Nair, outgoing president of the board.
Revenue generated by Sabarimala Devotees
            For 2009-2010, according to Travancore Devaswom Board sources, the total revenue collection at Sabarimala during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season has touched Rs 125.94 crore as on January 17 evening. This is against the Rs 109.94 crore revenue collected during the same period in the previous pilgrim season.
Aravana (Prasadam) sales alone has fetched a total collection of Rs 42.65 crore as on Sunday while the Hundi collection during the period was Rs 49.55 crore, sources said. The total revenue collection during the Makaravilakku festival alone upto Sunday evening was Rs 41.37 crore, sources said.
               In 2010-11, the total income received at Sabarimala since the beginning of the Mandalam season has reached Rs.95 crores. Last year the collection during the same period of 39 days was Rs.80crores.
Exploitation Rampant even after Government’s assurance
Benoy Viswam, Forest Minister  said here on November 17, 2010 that the Forest Department would not tolerate any exploitation of Sabarimala pilgrims by eco-development committees in the Periyar Tiger Reserve area.
               The Minister told the media that strict instructions had been issued against benami control and over-charging of price on items sold through their shops in the area. The shops would have to stick to the prices fixed by the district collectors and shops violating the directions would be suspended.
               Even the Kerala High Court has came down heavily on the State Government and the Travancore Devaswom Board(TDB) which controlling all the temples in the state and said that corruption was rampant in the Board and the government is a mute spectator. On June 2, 2010 the High Court observed it was a pity the State Government couldn’t constitute Devaswom Board, which was a statutory mandate.Criticizing the functioning of the TDB, a Division Bench comprising Justices C N Ramachandran Nair and P S Gopinathan held that corruption had become a common policy of the Board.The Division Bench also observed that the Board was treating temples as orphanages.
Fleecing of Sabarimala Pilgrims
               Many devotees have to pay extra money to travel on buses and trains, to use toilets, to stay in hotels. According to V. Muralidhara, State BJP President states: “Ironically, both the government and the TDB have been fleecing the pilgrims by introducing ‘special' bus fare on ‘Sabarimala special' services, additional taxes, special electricity tariff etc. from them.
The TDB even used to collect user fee from the devotees at comfort stations, conveniently sidelining the fact that it is the duty of the temple authorities to ensure all basic facilities for pilgrims at Sabarimala,” He said it was high time this commercial attitude of the TDB and the government was brought to an end and extended a foolproof pilgrim facility at Sabarimala.

Mr. Muraleedharan also alleged that there were no security arrangements at Sabarimala when the temple is closed  in January and he demanded the government take immediate steps to ensure adequate security to the Ayyappa temple.

Fleecing of Water bottles
As per the agreement with the Travancore Devaswom Board, the bottled water contractor should sell the water at Rs 15 per litre at Sannidhanam and Rs 13 at Pampa. Instead the water bottles are sold at Rs 20 to the pilgrims at Sannidhanam and on the trekking path at Neelimala, Marakkottam and Saramkuthi.
It appears that 90 per cent of the sales are done through the shops and food vendors owned by private operators. Since there is only one contractor to supply water bottles for Pampa and Sannidhanam, they are milking the pilgrims with no guidelines. The failure to open adequate numbers of outlets by the contractor as well as not selecting more than one contractor  is allegedly a ploy to reap profit in collusion with private establishments. However, the Government authorities concerned so far failed to notice the daylight exploitation of the pilgrims. Even after receiving widespread complaints, hardly any action such as random checks was conducted by the authorities concerned.
Fleecing by Restaurants
District administration fixed the price for many of the food items purchased by the pilgrims during the Sabarimala festival. The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association filed a petition in High Court challenging the fixed prices. On December 18, 2010, the High Court issued an interim stay order on the prices of food items fixed by the district administration. Now, the Hotel Association is taking advantage of the High Court decision by hiking prices for many of the food items especially by the hotels located between Vadasserikara, Nilackal, and Laha.
               For a noon meal, hotels at Laha and Nilackal charge between Rs 40 and Rs 50 and for Rs 40 for three porottas and a side dish. Hardly any Government authority conducts check after the interim stay granted by the Court. The Government authorities concerned for ensuring fair prices hardly conduct any checks owing to the lack of clear instructions from the district administration after the interim stay by the Court, it is reliably learnt.
Service Charge by Railways
           
            The service charge imposed on Sabarimala pilgrims at the Pampa reservation counter of the Southern Railway evoked  widespread protest among the pilgrims.The service charge, Rs 10 per ticket reserved from Pampa railway counter, has come as rude shock for the pilgrims.

Functioning as a satellite centre of Chengannur railway station, the introduction of the new levy is for the first time since its inception in 2003-2004 pilgrimage season.

“The day light exploitation of the Sabarimala pilgrims by the railways should be withdrawn at the earliest,” Kuppuswamy of Chennai said.

“Instead of giving incentives to Sabarimala pilgrims on the line of Haj pilgrims by the Air India and Indian Airlines, the fleecing of pilgrims by the railway authorities should be withdrawn at the earliest,” Kuppuswamy said.

Fleecing by Airlines
In November 2010 Air India suddenly cancelled its most popular flight from Kuala Lumpur-Chennai, hundreds of Malaysian Tamils who were to take a pilgrimage to Sabarimala or visit India during December-January have faced high airline fares. The reservations they made months ago were canceled by Air India without proper explanation. As soon as Air India pulled out from the route, other airlines have jacked up their fares.
“AI’s return fare was 1000 Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and Jet Airways used to charge 1070 MYR. But after the AI flight was withdrawn, Jet Airways hiked its fare to 1400 MYR,” a Kuala Lumpur-based travel agent told Express over phone.Other airlines like Air Asia are charging 1300 MYR and Malaysian Airlines 1500 MYR.
State Government Levies Commercial Tariff at Sabarimala
On December 17, 2010, the Travancore Devaswom Employees Union has alleged that the State Government is commercializing the Sabarimala pilgrimage by levying commercial tariff for electricity and water used by various Government departments at Sabarimala.Addressing media persons at Sannidhanam the Employees Union general secretary B Thulasidharan Pillai said that the Government should end the unfair practice of imposing commercial rates on the Government departments that offer various services to the pilgrims
               In fact the General Secretary mentioned,since the State Government receives revenue of Rs 2,000 crore during the pilgrimage season, what is the necessity of imposing tariff on water and electricity. It has the responsibility to set up infrastructure and other basic facilities for the pilgrims free of cost, Pillai said.
What kind of Facilities Greet the Pilgrims
Over the last ten years, pilgrims experienced similar problems whenever they were planning to undertake the arduous Sabarimala pilgrimage. Pilgrims talk about the inadequate facilities at Sabarimala and express their concerns to the officials and the media. Of course Travancore  Devaswom Board members, Transportation department, concerned ministers, health officials, Pampa River officials, transportation ministers, sewer experts, government officials at the state and Centre, numerous MLAs and MPs and so on talk about the poor facilities greeting the pilgrims, and how to improve them year after year. With ever increasing number of pilgrims visiting the spiritually charges Ayyappa Temple, facilities fall behind the expectations. State governmentappears to have no plans to provide adequate facilities to the expected the number of pilgrims attending Sabarimala. The government and Travancore Devaswom Board are totally unprepared even to estimate the expected number of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala and match the facilities to the pilgrim’s needs.  It is a known fact the number of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala is increasing by ten percent each year over the last decade or so. It is inexcusable that the government who takes an average 130 -140 crores of money to it’s treasury, does not provide basic amenities to these pilgrims. 
G.K. Nair of Business Line reports on November 14, 2010 as follows:
The Sabarimala pilgrimage season is less than a week away and the river Pampa continues to be polluted as it was last year, when unhealthy conditions threatened around 40 lakh inhabitants of the river basin from Pampa to Kuttanad with serious water-borne diseases. Adequate facilities have not been created in spite of the demands of lakhs of pilgrims, according to devotees.
“Even though not well documented, from mid-November to mid-February, several water-borne diseases and multi-drug resistant diseases are on the rise in Kuttanad region, which could be attributed to the increased contamination and pollution of the river Pampa during the pilgrimage season,” Dr B.Padmakumar, Associate Professor, General Medicine, Alappuzha Government Medical College, told Business Line.
               The only solution to this serious problem is “the setting up of required infrastructure such as high-capacity sewage treatment plants at Pampa and Sannidhanam and proper drainage systems, keeping in mind the ever-increasing number of pilgrims every year to arrest the discharge of faecal and other hazardous wastes into the river,” he pointed out.
Sanitation Facilities

The Times of India e-paper reports on November 17, 2010 that while the Travancore Devaswom Board claims a total of 300 toilets in and around Pamba, where the navigable route ends,devotees point out the storage facilities are grossly inadequate.

“The septic tanks are filled up in a matter of days and the waste is then dumped into the river, posing serious health hazards to the pilgrims. The toilets are auctioned during every season and the contractor who gets it charges indiscriminately from the pilgrims. We are of the view that all basic facilities including food and toilet facilities should be provided free of cost to the pilgrims. Also the government should expedite the setting up of a sewage treatment plant,the proposal for which was mooted several years ago, said Kummanam Rajasekharan, General Secretary of the Ayyappa Seva Samajam.”

            On December 2, 2010 it is reported that the toilet block attached to the resting places at Appachimedu are yet to be opened for the pilgrims.Though signs were put up at the resting places, the toilets are kept locked. Lack of water supply connection to the resting place is attributed as the cause for the present situation.
Medical facilities
            The medical facilities at Sabarimala and Pampa are quite inadequate to meet the needs of millions of pilgrims trekking to the hill shrine. According to Dr B. Padmakumar, who is in charge of government hospital at Sannidhanam (Sabarimala) says that considering the number of devotees, the existing facilities are quite inadequate. “Trekking increases the workload of the heart, pushing up the pulse rates, and in the case of those with a history of heart problems, it would require immediate medical care.”
               The existing facilities available at Sannidhanam, Neelimala, Apachimedu and Pampa are not enough to handle such serious cases.The cardiology centre at Neelimala is functioning in a temporary shed, which does not even look like a hospital at all.Similarly, there is no medical facility on the parallel trekking path, ‘Swami Ayyappan Road’, which is essential as a large number of pilgrims take this route during the season.
Problems faced by Pilgrims as reported by Express News Service November 25, 2010
            Sabarimala pilgrims lashed out at the KSRTC officials at Boarkims Theyottarakara depot following their careless approach in operating the buses to Pamba on Thursday. After paying high price, they boarded Pamba bound Venad bus (RNA 186,KL 15 8367) AT 11.30 AM at the bus depot. Though they had waited till 2.30 pm. There was no conductor or driver to operate the bus. All the seats had been filled. As the children and women got restless, other pilgrims went to the station master office and expressed their protest over the delay. But the Station master and the other KSTC staff at the SMO acted in an arrogant manner which provoked the pilgrims.
As situation turning tense, a driver was rushed to the bus. Again it was a wait for the conductor to arrive. Many pilgrims have complained that in spite of charging exorbitant bus charge, no facility is provided to the pilgrims at the bus station.

            The toilets at the KSRTC depots are unclean and no action has been to make the contractors clean the “pay and use toilets” at regular interval. Many people complain that the pilgrims are being fleeced (swindled) by the hotels at Punalur and Kottarakara. With the start of the pilgrim season, most of the hotels have hiked the prices.

            The condition in the KSRTC canteen at Kottarakkara is pathetic. As it is adjacent to the stinking toilet, most of the pilgrims are reluctant even to enter it. And there has been no provision to provide even clean drinking water, the pilgrims said.
           
Opposition Party Walked Out.
               In 2008, the Opposition Party openly criticized the government for not implementing the plans to improve the facilities for the pilgrims. At the time, the Minister informed "We have spend nearly 90 percent of the amount for improving facilities. The major work to be taken up is a queue complex, a ropeway for carrying things to the temple top and a state-of-the-art sewage plant. We will finish this before we demit office in another 40 months. " Even after spending 90 percent of the approved budget, facilities have not improved.
               But leader of opposition Oommen Chandy said the government had not made use of the 110 hectares of land given to the temple for developmental activities. He said that in 2005, Mr. Manmohan Singhm the Prime Minister to sanctioned 12.65 hectares of forestland in the temple complex. Furthermore another 110 hectares of land was also handed over for developmental activities.  The present government failed to take appropriate steps to implement the plans in the approved land over the last 30 months they have been in office.
Sabarimala Master Plan
               A number of Master Plans have been prepared and discussed at length by the  TDM members, State government officials, Chief Ministers, Prime Minister Devaswom Ministers, Forest Minister, Sabarimala Temple Executive Officers, Water Department Officials, Pampa River officials and a host of others over more than ten years. Every year they talk of preparing a Master Plan and implement it the next year following Sabarimala festival. These plans have become pin-pong balls to be hit back and forth to end up in dumpster. Each department blames the other for delay in developing a comprehensive plan to ease the heavy rush, to reduce the waiting time to have darshan, to manage the crowd control, to clean the polluted Pamba River and to optimize the land utilization.
               Early part December 2010, Forest Minister  Mr. Benoy Viswom charged that the officials attached to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and contractors are responsible for the state of affairs at the famous pilgrim centre of Sabarimala and the delay of the implementation of Master plan.
Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Viswom said it was an irony that TDB officials thought of Sabarimala and the much sought-after master plan only on the eve of the annual pilgrim season. An unholy nexus between a contractor lobby and a section of the TDB officials has been marring Sabarimala development, he alleged.
Mr. Viswom, however, said the present temple administrative body was capable of busting this nexus and implementing various development projects at Sabarimala in a time-bound manner. The High Court also observed that the dispute among different state organizations was only regarding the opportunity to involve in more corruption. Every body is only looking at milking the maximum from the Hindu cow – nothing more and nothing less. They only discuss and decide based on their share of pot from all these projects.
               The Sabarimala Master Plan developed around 2005 by IL&FS Ecosmart Ltdwas approved by the Travancore Devaswom Board, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, Supreme Court of India and the Government of Kerala.With ever increasing number of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala,  infrastructure, facilities and other services have lagged behind to provide the basic needs of the pilgrims. The Master Plan aims to develop the Sabarimala temple complex and the surrounding region, which mostly forms part of Periyar Forest Reserve, in a complimentary and eco-friendly manner, so as to provide a satisfying pilgrimage experience to the pilgrims visiting the Holy Shrine.
               On April 10, 2010 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused Kerala's Left Democratic Front government for it’s inaction. He said that if the left government had taken appropriate steps   to implement the Sabarimala Pamba Action Plan that would have benefited thousands of pilgrims.
               "Had the government here been proactive to the Sabarimala Pamba Action Plan, the pilgrimage to the Sabarimala temple for thousands of devotees would have been smooth," Manmohan Singh said while addressing an election meeting.
The Rs.320 crore action plan under the National River Conservation Programme (NRCP) aims to check the pollution of the Pamba River. The central government has provided money to commence the first phase plan, while the state government and local bodies are to contribute 30 percent offunds.
On December 16, 2010, a Committee for the implementation of the Sabarimala Master Plan chaired by Additional Chief Secretary K. Jayakumar has decided to launch various projects envisaged in the plan in February.M. Rajendran Nair, Special Commissioner appointed by Kerala High Court,  said the committee decided to prioritize the projects in the next one month itself.

The committee resolved to implement the following:
            proposed Pampa-Sannidhanam ropeway project, a two-storey Valiyanadappandal to regulate the queue system at the Sannidhanam, development of the Swami Ayyappan Road, modern Appam-Aravana plant, sewage treatment plants, queue complex, Triveni-Pampa passage for emergency evacuation, improvement of the ring road at Nilackal base camp, and development of a water reservoir at Nilackal soon after the culmination of the ongoing pilgrim season.
This Committee met again on December 25, 2010 and announced that 12 projects, involving an expenditure of Rs 150 crore, have been shortlisted for implementation at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilackal immediately after the Makaravilakku season which ends on January 20, 2011.
Let us all hope that this Committee will be able to muster enough strength to implement the Sabarimala Master Plan to provide adequate facilities to the pilgrims. Let us also hope that the State government officials, different departments involved in the implementation, and Travancore DevaswomBoard members will set aside their selfish interest to make money off the Master Plan, put the needs and facilities of the pilgrims as more important than their political interests, shred their ego in front of  Lord Ayyappa to receive the spiritual lesson in discharging the responsibilities, and bring respect and prestige to the most spiritually charged Temple in India.
Let us pray Lord Ayyappa to bestow enough wisdom on all these decision makers to complete the Master plan to provide proper facilities to these Pilgrims
(NOTE: We acknowledge The Hindu. Express Service, Times of India and other sources in obtaining some of the information).
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Donations
We need your assistance to continue our mission of abolishing Endowment Act and free Temples from the government control. If we have to make an impact on our movement to bring changes to preserve our culture, we need you financial support. Your generous donations to continue our efforts to free Hindu Temples from government control, awaken the Hindus about the plight of Hindu Temples and the impending danger of illegal conversion techniques are essential. We are requesting all the individuals and organizations to support financially to continue our movement to free Hindu Temples from the government control and stop these conversions.

End of the Year is fast approaching. Please DONATE. Your donations are appreciated to continue the work.

 NOTE: GHHF is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue code.  

Our tax ID # 41-2258630
Please send your tax-deductible donations to:

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation,
14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, Texas 75035

You can go to savetemples.org and pay by PAYPAL

For more information                      
Please visit our website: http://www.savetemples.org

Monday, December 20, 2010

High Court Verdict on Housing Sites; 16 concerns-questions

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation
14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, Texas 75035
Phone: 601-918-7111 M/ 601-856-4783 H/ 601-856-1068 F
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     December 20, 2010   
TO:      Sri I Y Krishna Rao, IAS
            Executive Officer, TTD
            TTD Administration Building
            Tirupathi, AP 51750
           
Dear Sri Krishna Rao:

            Subject: High Court Verdict on Housing Sites; 16 concerns/questions

            Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) which is based in USA, expresses it’s appreciation for introducing a number of changes in the issue of Arjita seva tickets, especially requiring the devotees who are purchasing the tickets for darshan to be physically present to take their pictures so that no third person will be able to sell the tickets on the black market. We heard that you and Specified Authority are trying to bring few changes in the administrations of TTD although there is a lot of resistance from the employees.

High Court Stay Order defied by some TTD employees
            The main purpose of writing this letter is to bring to your attention about the illegal construction of housed started on the land although High Court issued a Stay Order on November 29, 2010. Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi and TTP Parirakshana Samithi have written letters bring to your attention about this illegal, unlawful construction of these houses on this disputed lands.  Sri Subrahmanya Yadav, Sri D. Narendra, Sri Narra Munichandara and others have met with you personally and requested your office to intervene and stop the illegal construction of the house sites.

            As you are aware that Sri Subramanyam Yadav, the Vice-president of Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi, in consultation with the President Sri Kamal Kumar Swami, has submitted a letter indicating that a PIL was filed in the High Court seeking it’s decision on GO 1153. On November 29, the High Court issued a stay order directing TTD not to proceed with the construction work on the five sites listed in the case. These are the lands that were donated / gifted to Lord Venkateshwara centuries ago by rulers, philanthropists, devotees, etc. for temple related activities and the maintenance of the temple. The letter also pointed out that some of the employees started the construction of their houses at S V Poor Home lands.

            Their action to start the construction of houses on the sites defying the High Court’s stay order is inexcusable, unforgivable and unpardonable. Their deliberate, daring, calculated, pre-planned attempt to start the construction on these lands should be investigated. It is sad to know that these employees who are working to preserve and promote the dharmic values through serving Lord Balaji would dare to defy the values they are supposed to uphold.  Whoever has started the construction is punishable by court of law for openly challenging the court’s decision.

            Your immediate response in directing your officials to stop the illegal construction is appreciated and as of today these organizations found no new construction of houses following your orders.  
   
GHHF Expresses concerns        

         Following are some of the concerns /questions pertaining to the Stay Order, subsequent unlawful construction, your proposed action against the alleged culprits and the qualifications of the Trust Board. 
         1) TTD administration should investigate the employees who have started the unlawful construction of houses in the S V Poor Home area. Identify all the employees who have defied the courts order.
          2) As an EO Officer of TTD, you should take appropriate action such as suspension of the employees, impose fines or terminate the employment if the employees violate the court decree or engage in activities that disrupt the normal functioning of TTD.
            Please note that if EO does not take appropriate action knowing the defiance of the court order, there may be legal implications to the EO.
            Unless EO takes necessary and appropriate action against these employees, they would not obey or respect the position of EO. Further more EO will be encouraging them to undertake more and more deceptive activities undermining the integrity of the TTD administration, if no concrete disciplinary action is taken.
          3) What kind of protection the administration has from being harassed and humiliated with a threat of strike, agitation and or protest by the employees? Does the administration is empowered to negotiate the demands so that the interests of TTD and the devotees are preserved rather than yielding to every demand they insist upon?
       4) EO can be charged with contempt of court if he does not strictly enforce the disciplinary action against the employees who knowingly violated the High Court Order.
          5) Employees of TTD from top to the bottom are the servants of the Lord Venkateshwara. TTD is the most sacred Temple on planet earth for the Hindu devotees. EO and all the administration should abide by high morals, and greater consciousness of serving the devotees. Serving the devotees must be the ultimate goal of all the employees. Are there any guidelines to this effect in the operation of TTD so that service is the motto instead of salaries and the house plots?
         6) TTD is a religious institution. It is the most sacred place a Hindu can ever visit. It is not a government institution. It is not a commercial institution. It is neither a factory nor a steel plant. No UNIONS should be allowed to form and function on the premise of the religious institutions like TTD and they should not be recognized. Notices should be issued indicating the non-recognition of the Unions.
     7) Any employees who participate in the agitation or demonstration should be removed from their position. A clause should be included in the Guidelines if it is not already included.

      8) TTD should demolish these illegally constructed house structures by the employees as well as the roads, electrical lines that were laid out by TTD. What is the time schedule to demolish these structures?
         9) These lands should be used to raise cows so that milk can be supplied to the Temple and also start a flower garden so that the flowers can be supplied to Balaji and other deities.
        10) Employees have been threatening TTD with a strike every time their demands are not met. In order to avoid the conflict with the employees TTD authorities have always yielded to their demands for purely political reasons. This kind of appeasement cannot go on forever. We request you to prepare a document where every employee would sign and pledge that they would not declare any strike against TTD – that is the devotees.
       11) Do you have any plans to get other Hindu religious organizations involved in training the volunteers to help during peak seasons or to use them in case the employees engage in strike? Do you have any back up plan to continue the darshan lines uninterrupted?
       12) There would be many people who would like to volunteer their services free of charge or for meager compensation to Lord Venkateshwara. They consider this opportunity to serve as a God given blessing. Do you have any plans to start a Volunteer Wing and train them to serve as and when needed? 
      13) Please know that the Endowment Act itself is illegal, unconstitutional and against the Hindu religion. The Corruption at all levels, land grabbing, looting of funds, misuse of funds, neglect of temple renovations, government’s total control of the management, etc are the major problems facing the Hindu Temples. Of course you are aware that no such Endowment Act would apply to Mosques and Churches. The government is a puppet in the hands of these two other religions.  Is there any discussion about the legality of controlling Hindu Temples under the Endowment Act?
      14) How much money is contributed to the government form all the sources income such as hundi money, ticket sales, jewelry, land lease etc. What percent of TTD funds goes to the government?     
      15) What are the qualifications of the members of the Trust Board for TTD? Are there any qualifications the members must have before they can be considered for appointments on the Boards?
      16) Since TTD is purely a religious organizations, what role the Acharyas, Peethadhipathis, Swamijis of different ashrams play in making religious decisions with regard to the functioning of the Temple, construction of new structures, remodeling of the existing structures, demolition of the historical structures? How often do you meet with them to seek their guidance? How often do you meet with them?

            This is the partial list of our concerns and questions either directly or indirectly related to the Stay Order of High Court with regard to the allotment of House sites to TTD employees. We would appreciate your response as soon as possible.

            Please know that NRI’s across the globe are concerned about the plight of Hindu Temples and the unlawful control of them by the government. We are mainly interested in preserving the integrity of the Temples; restoring the freedom for all Hindus to manage their own temples, abolishing the Endowment Act; re-establishing the independent nature of the temples; helping Hindu religious leaders to take major responsibility in directing the management of the Temples; demanding the government to appoint qualified Hindus to the Trust Boards instead of appointing liquor barons, politicians and people with criminal backgrounds; using the temple resources mainly for the preservation and propagation of Santana dharma; and assisting Hindu pilgrims to express their voices in managing the temples.

Please visit our website: savetemples.org
Dhanyavad


Global Hindu Heritage Foundation; USA

                                                            Copy:   Commissioner, Endowments Department, AP.   
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Donations
We need your assistance to continue our mission of abolishing Endowment Act and free Temples from the government control. If we have to make an impact on our movement to bring changes to preserve our culture, we need you financial support. Your generous donations to continue our efforts to free Hindu Temples from government control, awaken the Hindus about the plight of Hindu Temples and the impending danger of illegal conversion techniques are essential. We are requesting all the individuals and organizations to support financially to continue our movement to free Hindu Temples from the government control and stop these conversions.

End of the Year is fast approaching. Please DONATE. Your donations are appreciated to continue the work.

 NOTE: GHHF is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue code.  

Our tax ID # 41-2258630
Please send your tax-deductible donations to:

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation,
14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, Texas 75035

You can go to savetemples.org and pay by PAYPAL

 For more information                      
 Please visit our website: http://savetemples.org

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Halderman of US and Ronggiip of Netherland were detained in New Delhi, India Airport

[SID & GHHF] Halderman of US and Ronggiip of Netherland (the associates of Hari K Prasad) were detained in New Delhi Airport; Following 18 hours intense efforts, they were admitted. 

Nothing can be more abhorrent to democracy than to imprison a person or keep him in prison because he is unpopular. This is really the test of civilization. Winston Churchill

Alex Halderman of USA and Rop Gonggriip of Netherlands were detained for about 18 hours at Indira Gandhi International Airport without valid reason. Many people from India and USA were on the phone with several officials demanding the reason for their detention at the Airport. Several calls to the Election Commission and Home Department made the difference – they were finally allowed to enter India.  They were held from Monday (13th) thru Tuesday (14th) morning. Please read below newspaper and electronic media coverage on this matter.

We want to express our appreciation to Alex and Rop for going through so much physical strain, sleeplessness, tiredness and above all uncertainty.  Thanks
            
Why were they detained at the Airport?
            
As many of you know that Hari K Prasad came to Dallas area on November 21, 2010 and gave a presentation on the Tamperabaility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). In February 2010 Hari K Prasad of Hyderabad, Alex Halderman from USA and Rop Gonggriip of Netherlands were able to publicly demonstrate that EVMs are tamparable in New Delhi and Chennai against the conviction of the Election Commission of India and the present government.  What these three researchers were saying along is that the government should make sure these machines are verifiable, accountable and transparent so that there is no scope for manipulation and tampering. USA based organization “Save Indian Democracy” coordinating this event that took place in February 2010.
            
Indian Government and Election Commission were not happy with the demonstration since they have been claiming that their EVMs were safe and cannot be tampered. It was too much for the Government to swallow. It is not easy to accept that they were wrong in believing they no can body can hack their machines.
            
Of course you all know Hari K Prasad was arrested by Maharashtra government and imprisoned for eight days for refusing to reveal the name of the person who brought government EVM for him to demonstrate.  The case is still pending.
           
In order to bring awareness among people in USA and the potential for misuse of the EVMs irrespective of which party is n power, Save Indian Democracy (SID) and Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) organized eight-city tour for Sri Hari K Prasad in October – November 2010 to make presentations on the EVMs.  All those who were able to attend his presentation were very much impressed with the presentation.  As mentioned in our previous communications that Sri Hari K Prasad was awarded the PIONEER AWARD by Computer Frontier Foundation on November 8, 2010 in California.
            
Please know that SID and GHHF are not against the government or the EVMS. Our position is that every vote should be counted in the elections. There should not be any scope for manipulation of the EVMs. If there are any doubts or suspicions about the election results, there should be a viable mechanism to recount the votes and they should be verifiable.  We feel that EVMs are vital in improving the efficiency of vote count in any democracy. If properly used with a set of guidelines, the EVMs can reduce the uncertainty with regards to election results.

Donations

We need your assistance to continue our mission of abolishing Endowment Act and free Temples from the government control. If we have to make an impact on our movement to bring changes to preserve our culture, we need you financial support. Your generous donations to continue our efforts to free Hindu Temples from government control, awaken the Hindus about the plight of Hindu Temples and the impending danger of illegal conversion techniques are essential. We are requesting all the individuals and organizations to support financially to continue our movement to free Hindu Temples from the government control and stop these conversions.

End of the Year is fast approaching. Please DONATE. Your donations are appreciated to continue the work.

 NOTE: GHHF is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue code.  

Our tax ID # 41-2258630
Please send your tax-deductible donations to:

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation,
14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, Texas 75035
You can go to savetemples.org and pay by PAYPAL

 For more information                      
  Please visit our website: http://savetemples.org


Attachments - three news items covered on TV and in Newspaper

Foreign researchers detained for dissenting?



Posted on *Dec 14, 2010 at 07:26* | Updated *Dec 14, 2010 at 07:51* New Delhi: Two researchers from the US and Netherlands - who co-authored a report showing how EVM machines in India could be rigged - were detained for over 18 hours at the Delhi international airport.

Rop Gonggrip, a computer security expert from Amsterdam and Alex Halderman, a computer science professor at the University of Michigan had co-authored a study on the chinks in India's voting machines last year. They say they were given no reason for their detention but are fairly certain why it happened.
 
It was only after their host in India made some phone calls and the duo refused to be put back on a flight without being given a reason in writing, did the authorities relent.

Earlier this year in February Professor Halderman and his co researchers from India, US and Netherlands had put out a report on how easily EVMs in India could be rigged.

They had even offered to demonstrate it to the Election Commission but the commission refused. Sources say instead the commission wrote to the MEA asking them to blacklist the entire group.

In fact their Indian co-author Hari Prasad faced even tougher action - he was arrested for a month in August for refusing to name the official who gave them the EVM for their research.


EVM flaw-finders not welcome in India?
*Zeenews Bureau* Updated on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 09:45

New Delhi: Two researchers - Alex Halderman and Rop Gonggrijp - who had carried out a study demonstrating the flaws in India’s electronic voting machines (EVMs), were denied entry into the country, despite holding valid visas, when they arrived at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday night.

However, both put their foot down and demanded to know the reason why they were being asked to go back from the airport; after hours of confusion the Union Home Ministry lifted the restriction on their entry Monday afternoon, a newspaper report claimed Tuesday. Alex Halderman, a professor of computer science at the University of Michigan, and Rop Gonggrijp, a Dutch activist and technical expert, had co-authored a study — Security Analysis of India’s Voting Machines — with Hyderabad-based researcher Hari Prasad in July this year, demonstrating two different ways of “manipulating” the EVMs.

While the foreign nationals headed back home, Prasad was arrested for stealing a voting machine and was subjected to police interrogation for weeks.

The study had created uproar on the reliability of the machines which were dubbed as tamper-proof. And as a result, the Election Commission of India did initiate a number of steps to enhance their security features.

As per their original plan, Halderman and Gonggrijp has applied for conference visas to take part in an event at the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, but were denied the same. “Since we had bought airline tickets, we thought we would travel anyway and see our friends here,” Halderman was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

A senior Ministry of Home Affairs official has been quoted as saying that the duo was initially denied entry because of violations of visa terms they had committed during their previous visit to India. “They had come earlier on a tourist visa, but were involved in activities that could not be considered tourism,” he said.

The Home Ministry had asked the missions in their respective countries to not issue them visas in the future, but they were issued visas again inadvertently and since they were issued visas, the ministry decided “to let them in”.



EVM busters detained in New Delhi

Last updated on: December 13, 2010 17:52 IST

A group of IT experts from the United States, who had claimed that Indian Electronic Voting Machines were not tamper-proof and had asked the election body to explore other forms of voting that provide 'transparency' and security, were made to face the heat on their arrival in a wintery New Delhi on Monday.

Alex Halderman and Rop Gonggrijp, two of the three scientists who had exposed the flaws in the Election Commission's EVMs, flew in to New Delhi around 2 am on Monday and were detained immediately.

After a harrowing wait, the duo was let off later in the day.

Halderman, who spoke to *rediff.com *later, said he was not too surprised by the turn of events.

"We did ask for a reason but they refused to give us any. It is unclear why they wanted us deported in the first place and also why we were detained. I suppose it is to do with the EVM issue. Last year, we discovered several flaws in the system and pointed it out. It appears to be that someone is out to harass us because of this. Otherwise, why else would we be detained," Halderman said.

"We were expecting this after Hariprasad's (the Indian expert in the team) arrest and we realised that this is the reward for trying to seriously expose a flaw, which was according to all of us, was beneficial to the country," he said.

"I cannot tell you about the officials reasons, because there were none. We had a valid visa on us and had applied for the same two weeks back. The immigration told us that we did not have the permission to go out and said we need to get back," he added.

"I would not say that they were friendly to us at the airport, but they were not bad either. However, we have been told that we could stay two weeks and interestingly they have also told us that they are not sure if this would not happen again."

Reacting to airport incident, Gonggrijp said: "I was just told that there was a problem. Alex was told that he would be deported, but I was not told any such thing. I was told that there was some problem after they ran through my data."

"Unlike Alex I was not expecting this to happen to me. I was taken aback. However, it is over as of now and we have been told that we can be here two weeks. We have some work in India hope that all will be smooth. We are, however, not contemplating any legal action on this front since we have not been given the reasons for us being detained in the first place."

"I suppose it is the EVM issue, which has made the authorities react in this manner. Such harassment comes in the way of exposing a real problem, which we tried to do. Such things may continue to happen, but the fact is that the problem still exists and has not vanished."

Thursday, December 2, 2010

GHHF High Court stops TTD from Land Allocation; High Court stop illegal gold covering of TTD walls; Hindu Acharyas organized Dharma Sadassu in Chennai.


Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things, distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. Thomas Carlyle
Whenever we take up any task to perform, any mission to execute, any duty to complete, and any undertaking to carry out, we have to have the unhesitating faith, total conviction, overwhelming fervor, unbridled passion and unwavering zeal to succeed in whatever cause we take up. There will be many roadblocks, numerous difficulties, innumerable problems, countless hardships and several adversities. These difficulties multiply hundred fold if you have to challenge the government with all it’s power, muscle, clout, influence, might, force and deception. Global Hindu Heritage Foundation, Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi, TTD Parirakshana Samithi and other organizations have taken up the task of challenging government’s the legitimacy of taking over Hindu Temples and it’s total mismanagement of them to the extent of dismantling the Hindu edifice.
            As many of you are aware that the many Hindu Temples making more than 50,000 rupees are taken over by all four southern state governments and many major Temples in Northern India.  These governments are selling the lands at will, looting the Temple money whimsically, make decisions arbitrarily, demolish Temples and other structures without having any respect for the heritage, implement plans without even consulting the Hindu leaders and acharyas, allocate lands to employees without respecting the wishes of the donors, appoint secular corrupt and liquor barons.  The Boards of these Temples, refuse to meet and seek advise from the Hindu Saints and leaders, and allow some Temples to collapse.  These governments deny Hindus their freedom liberty and independence to manage their own Temples. The same governments do not have the guts to enforce the policy of taking over the Mosques and Churches. In fact they use Hindu Temple money to promote the other faiths by granting money for the repairs of their houses of worship, subsidize their travel to Mecca for Muslims and Bethlehem for Christians, allocate funds to Madarssas and subsidize the festivals of other faiths.
            If you have to succeed in fighting with the governments to free the Hindu Temples from their control, we need unlimited patience, determination, perseverance, persistence, endurance, tolerance and will power. The road to success is arduous, hard, tough, strenuous, and demanding. But the mission to free Hindu Temples from the government is every Hindu’s responsibility, duty and right. Hindus have to make it as their dream to enjoy the freedom other religions are enjoying. In order to make this dream a reality, we should never give up to give our best,  should never despair over the setbacks,should never quit challenging the government, should never run out of our patience, should never run away from our responsibility, should never give up our rights and should never forsake in believing ourselves.
            Success seems illusive at times; but you can achieve it with total determination and full faith. We should never be fearful and afraid to work for the cause we believe in. Preservation of the richness of Sanatana Dharma is worth fighting for. In our pursuit to free the Temples, we may stumble some times; but we need to get up and pick up the pieces and put them together. Success is granted to those who persevere, persist, and endure. We have to believe deep down that we are going to achieve our goal, and succeed in our efforts to free the Hindu Temples.
Aftermath of Srikalahashti Gopuram Collapse
            Global Hindi Heritage Foundation (GHHF) and Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi (HDPS) have made a number of recommendations to TTD and the government of Andhra Pradesh. Many of them have been implemented. However, three most controversial issues facing TTD are: 1) allotment of land sites to the Temple employees on the lands donated centuries ago to TTD; 2) gold plating of TTD walls which have significant inscriptions about the history of the Temple; and 3) Veyyi Kalla Mandapam (Thousand Pillar Mandapam). Let us see how TTD has handled these issues:
1) Allotment of House sites / apartments on TTD Lands donated by Devotees Centuries ago; High Court issued Stay orders on November 29, 2010
            GHHF and HDPS have recommended that the TTD lands should not be used to allot Housing sites or apartments to the employees of TTD. We strongly feel that those lands should be used for the promotion of Hindu values, for colleges, for feeding the cows by raising grass and other crops, for providing housing to Leprosy patients and other matters strictly for religious matters.
             The TTD Board resolved in their meetings on July 25, 2007 and subsequently on June 30, 2008 to allot the land and apartments at the following venues for house sites/apartments to the eligible employees under “Own Your House Scheme.”
 The venues / lands are located at the follows areas/ villages:
            a) S. V. Poor Home Lands: 25 acres to be used for 462 house sites at a cost of rupees 44,355 per site
            b)  S. V. Dairy Farm Lands: 20 acres to be used for 407 house sites at a cost of  rupees 55,000 per site
            c) Brahmanapattu Village Lands: 100 acres to be used for 1800 house sites at a cost of rupees 11, 459 per site
             d) Sri Vinayaka Nagar Lands: 7 acres to be used for 500 apartments at a cost of rupees 25,000 per each apartment space
            e) S. G. S. Arts College Grounds; 5.2 acres to used for 350 apartments at a cost of rupees 25,000 per each apartment space.
            Ever since the GO was issued, a group of dedicated organizations and a group of devout Hindus have requested TTD to with draw it’s GO pointing out the implications and possible consequences of these neighborhoods becoming the colonies for other faiths.
            First, over the years these colonies may not see any Hindu living in these colonies and apartments. That means that other faith people will be occupying the lands that were donated to TTD and practicing their faith few kilometers away from Sri Venkateshwara Temple itself. 
            Secondly, our organizations have already acquired documents to show that some of the employees who were supposed to have these housing sites have already sold them at a higher price. That means that the assigned employees have no need for it. Instead of using the house site for building a house or apartment, it is being used for business purpose.
            Third, that the Hindu people with poor economic background, leprosy patients, cows, and College students will be denied to have their regular activities.
            With this in mind, TTD Parirakshana Samithi (TTDPS)had taken a major responsibility to identify the donor of 100 acres so that a case may be filed against TTD and stop the allotments of lands for the employees. Sri D Narendra, Sri Narra Munichandra, Sri Pravatarao Sunkaravalli and other members of TTDPS started investigating the whereabouts of these donors. They approached Sri Kamala Kumar Swami and M Subrahmanya Yadav of Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi for their support. These and many others have collaborated in this effort.
            In order to file a case they needed the names of the donors. It took few months to locate them. What all these devout Hindus have done is remarkable and it took two years to get STAY ORDER from High Court.
            This 100-acre land was donated way back during Sri Krishna Devaraya time (around 1560s) by a gentleman called Sri Pativadi Bhayankara Annan (Annacharyulu). He was a great devotee of Lord Sri Venkateshwara. The most SURPRISING historical fact is that it is he who composed SUPRABHATAM to Lord Venkateshwara. What a history to this land? TTD wants to dispose it off to people who may not even recognize the donor’s wish and preserve it for Lord Venkateshwara.
            Sri Narendra, Sri Narra Munichandra, Paravatirao Sunkaravalli, Sri Kamala Kumar Swami, Sri M Subrahmanya  Yadav used all legal means to locate and identify the original donor and trace the lineage to the present time. Salutations are in order for all these and others involved in the sacred mission. They used RTI Act to obtain the name of the original donor, which took more than a year. After knowing that Sri Prativadi was the donor, finally they were able to trace the 16th generation family member who is 82 years old and who happens to live in Tirupathi. He has two living sons – one in Chennai and the other in New Delhi.
            With the assistance of the original donor’s 16/17 generation son Sri Prativadi Bhayankara Ramesh from Chennai, Sri Narendra Dommalapati and Sri P Balasubrahmanyam filed a case in High Court of Andhra Pradesh to stop the “Own Your House Scheme.”
            On November 29, 2010 a two judge bench of the AP High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice B. Prakash Rao and Justice V. Suri Appa Rao stayed the decision of the state government and of the TTD in allotting 100 acres in Brahmanapattu village near Tirupati to the employees of TTD.

The court admitting a writ petition filed by P. B. Ramesh and two others that opined that the land allotment was arbitrary, illegal and without the authority of law. In fact the petitioners pointed out that the allotted land in the first place did not even belong to the TTD. It belonged to
Lakshminarayanaswami Temple from the times of  Sri Krishna Devaraya. The management of the temple was taken over by the TTD.  The petitioners argued that mere takeover of the management of this Temple by the TTD did not guarantee the power to alienate the land.

II High Court decrees Gold plating of TTD walls illegal and unconstitutional
Following his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TTD in 2008, Sri Adikesavulu Naidu initiated the gold covering of three walls of Ananda Nilayam with gold. On October 1, 2008, the then  Chief Minister Y S Rajashekara Reddy formally launched the first phase of the Rs 100-crore worth gold plating program for 'Ananada Nilayam' at Sri Venkateshwara Temple. To assuage the concerns of many concerned Hindus about the written inscriptions on the walls, the TTD had given an assurance that valuable inscriptions on the walls will be digitalized and preserved and half-an-inch gap will be maintained to ensure the safety of the ancient scriptures dated 12th century. The name of the scheme was later changed to Ananda Nilayam Anantha Swarnamayam Scheme (ANASS).   It is expected to cost US$22 million and requiring over 440 lbs. of gold.
            A number of people wrote to the then Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and the governor requesting them to ask the TTD not to pursue the project. The primary worry here is that the gold-plating would obscure invaluable heritage in terms of the wall inscriptions, dating from the 10th to the 18th century.  “They contain epigraphs which throw light on social aspects, the rural economy, the traditions of the Cholas, Pallavas, Yadavas and the Vijayanagara kings, mainly Krishnadevaraya,” says Prof Kirankanth Chowdary of the department of ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology, SV University, Tirupati. The TTD plan was to build copper frameworks a few inches from the wall on which sheets would be attached. “The sheets will prevent light and air from falling on the granite walls, spurring a chemical reaction which will damage the walls,” says Chowdary.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)also appealed to the administration of Lord Venkateshwara in Tirumala to drop the work on gold plating of the outer wall of sanctum sanctorum, saying it was “an interference in the religious nature” of the structure.
               “There is a craze for covering temple walls and other structures with gold. There is no religious sanction for these acts (as) it is the willful desire of some politicians and individuals (to do so),” VHP International Working President S. Vedantam said.
               Dr. Subrahmanian Swamy of Janata Party, G Rahava Reddy of Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi and others filed case in High Court requesting to it to scrap the entire project. On April 22, 2010,  a division bench of the AP High Court comprising D Prakash Rao and Justice Reddy Kantha Rao issued an interim STAY ORDER holding the gold plating project of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.
               On May 31, 2010, arguing before a division bench consisting of Justice B. Prakash Rao and Justice Reddy Kantha Rao which is dealing with the batch of writ petitions challenging the gold plating project of TTD, Dr Swamy said that a secular government functioning under a secular Constitution cannot take up the project of gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple at Tirumala. Dr Swamy made it clear that the proposed project was against the spirit of Article 25 of the Constitution. Recalling the TTD Executive Officer's counter affidavit, he said a similar proposal was dropped in 2005 after consultations with Agama experts. In the present instance, the full-fledged Agama committee had not been consulted.
               On September 7, 2010, the former chairman of the TTD Trust Board, Mr. Adikesavulu Naidu,  defended the board’s decision to undertake gold plating of the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple at Tirumala before the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
               On November 29, 2010, The AP High Court declared that the gold plating project of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams was “illegal, unconstitutional and would damage the inscriptions on the walls of the temple,” which are of heritage value. The verdict was delivered by a division bench comprising the acting Chief Justice B. Prakash Rao and Justice R. Kantha Rao which put a permanent full stop to the controversial project. The bench declared that “any meddling with ancient inscriptions on the wallsof the sanctum sanctorum would amount to interfering with the religious aspects of the institution and it can’t form part of any secular activity and as such the same is without any jurisdiction.”

               The bench found fault with the TTD for taking up the project in a hurry in a “whimsical manner,” unmindful of the religious sentiments involved. The court considered the report of the Archeological Survey of India, which stated that covering the walls with copper plates on the outer surface may encourage formation of moss and lichen, producing acids which will cause irreparable damage to the structure.
The bench also opined that “once the gold sheets are fixed, there is no possibility of cleaning the surface at regular intervals or applying preservative coats to the structure.”The bench further observed that “the inscriptions pertain to the temple deity and are of immense value. They cannot be treated like bare structures unconnected with the deity…. No project report was prepared, which shows a whimsical approach.”
               Referring to the Section 97 and 97A of the Endowments Act, the bench observed, “The TTD Board’s decision to gold plate the walls is bereft of adherence to the bare procedure contemplated under law.”  The High Court went on to say that the government was meddling in the temple affairs without considering religious practices, beliefs and sentiments of devotees. The bench also held that the action violated Articles 25 and 27 of the Constitution of India.
III Dharma Rakshana Samithi held on November 29, 20010 in Chennai.
Sri Kamal Kumar Swamiji, President of Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithiheld a news conference in Tirupathi on November 28 and dubbed the cancellation of Sanatana Dharma Prachara Sadassu by TTD authorities is an ‘insult' to the religious heads as they were invited and sent back thrice.He also said that the congregation of 65 spiritual leaders would have given suitable guidelines not only on the administration of the temple in a Dharmic way, but also on propagation of the cherished Hindu values.
“This apart, it could have aided the TTD take a correction course, thus help it wriggle out of the scores of scams and corruption charges heaped against it, of late,” he told. Swamiji also asked the TTD to break free from political interference and infuse a tinge of spiritualism into all its activities.Instead of brushing aside the ‘Sadas' as yet another event, he appealed to Mr. Krishna Rao to understand its potential to emerge as a major conclave that could set several things straight in Tirumala. He demanded that Sadassu (Meeting) be convened immediately. “Our intention is to protect the sanctity of Tirumala and we will not allow it to convert into a political and commercial center.”
            However, Mr. T. Ravi, TTD public relations officer said that Dharmacharya Sadassu is not cancelled.
            On November 29, a private Hindu forum Dharma Rakshana Samithi (DRS) organized the Dharmic Sadassu under the leadership of  Sri Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam and Sri Jayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi Sankaracharya Muth. DRS has taken up the agenda prepared by TTD and discussed the need for working together to strengthen the spirit of Sanatana Dharma and operate Hindu Temples as Dharmic Centers to propagate the richness of our culture. The also opined that because of outside political interference at TTD, the planned Dharmacharya Sadassu was cancelled. They have passed a resolution that outside political interference should be stopped and the Hindu Temples must operate to propagate Sanatana Dharma.
This Sadassu was attended by about 30 Swamiji’s and Peethadhipathis including  Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, Sri Vidya Narahari Swami of Pushpagiri Peetham, Sri Arjun Das of Hathiramji Peetham, Sri Kamala Kumar Swami, President of Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi, Sri Pejewar Swami of Udipi Muth, Sri Yogananda Saraswathi of Gopala Krishna Mutham, Sri Siva Swamy from Guntur and others attended. Sri Kamal Kumar Swamiji spoke about the activities of GHHF and HDPS in Andhra Pradesh. Sri Dayananda Saraswathi came and sat next to Sri Kamal Kumar Swami and expressed his appreciation of our efforts in Andhra Pradesh.  Sri Jayendra Saraswathi also recognized the efforts of HDPS and GHHF in the state. He also said that protection of Sanatana Dharma is the responsibility of each and every Hindu and they should work together.
            Let us all work together. Your involvement is crucial. We have to be freed from the clutches of government control. Let us free our Temples from the secular government. As Swami Vivekananda said:
                        Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached

Donations
We need your assistance to continue our mission of abolishing Endowment Act and free Temples from the government control. If we have to make an impact on our movement to bring changes to preserve our culture, we need you financial support. Your generous donations to continue our efforts to free Hindu Temples from government control, awaken the Hindus about the plight of Hindu Temples and the impending danger of illegal conversion techniques are essential. We are requesting all the individuals and organizations to support financially to continue our movement to free Hindu Temples from the government control and stop these conversions.

End of the Year is fast approaching. Please DONATE. Your donations are appreciated to continue the work.

 NOTE: GHHF is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 ( c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue code.  

Our tax ID # 41-2258630

Please send your tax-deductible donations to:
Global Hindu Heritage Foundation,
14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, Texas 75035

You can go to www.savetemples.org and pay by PAYPAL

For more information                      

Please visit our website: http://www.savetemples.org