Temples belong to the public

IT IS RATHER unfortunate that so many temples today have major problems.

Establishments need to be in a better position to mediate during temple disputes.

Most organisations that attempt to mediate, in fact, have no mandate to arbitrate in matters of dispute. Worse still, they don’t have the expertise needed to settle disputes, such as lawyers and senior managers. A regulatory body should be formed, so that they become a voice of religious organisations.

It must be noted that all temples should belong to the public. The officials are only there to take care of the affairs on behalf of the community. Officials do not own the temple.

It is sad that too many of our temples are now besieged under the egos, greed, power-hunger and self-serving ambitions of officials and members of their congregation.

Priests are only there to perform certain rituals on behalf of devotees. They are accorded more importance than they really deserve, with some temples treating them like veritable gods. Priests, after all, are just human beings. There are many temples in India where you can pray without a priest stretching out one hand with camphor and the other to grab money.

It is my fervent hope and prayer that peace and an atmosphere of trust and love will permeate our temples once again.