Tirumala temple, the abode of Lord Sri Venkateswara is in every day news for many wrong reasons. As the controversies are piling, it raises some fundamental questions on the Temple management.
Why Government involves with the decision making process of Hindu institutions?
According to wikipedia, for example in case of Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanams (TTD) the board that manages the Tirumala and host of other temples: "TTD was established in 1932 as a result of the TTD Act of 1932. According to the act, administration of the temple was vested to a committee of seven members and overseen by a paid commissioner as appointed by the Madras Government. Advising the committee were 2 advisory councils - one comprising of priests and temple administrators to aid the committee with the operations of the Tirumala temple and another comprising of farmers for advise on Tirumala's land and estate transactions. The Act was revolutionary in that no specific qualification for temple administration was laid for the commissioner and the committee members. However the act was limited in scope in temple fund generation and usage for religious purposes"
This is the genesis. First of all this a pre-independence British act. Looking at the above, there are two or three points that are perhaps the root of today's problems. First, there is no qualification for the temple administration both for the commissioner or committee members. Second, the act is primarily intended for temple fund generation and usage for the religious purposes. Third and most important, this is an act passed by a Government in Madras state assembly. It is a political decision "rubbed" on a religious institution.
There are subsequent acts enacted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh after formation of the state. All the acts did not change the original charter of 1932 and in fact, during the course of last 80 years Government got the iron grip on control of the the Temple and temple affairs. Let me quote some of the Endowment acts:
1951 act..... The act provided for the appointment of an Executive Officer (EO) who would be responsible for the properties and operations of TTD, custody of records of jewels, estate, money and funds of TTD, arrange and record collection of income and payment of expenses as well as execute activities beyond budget sanctioned by board of trustees if it involved pilgrim safety or service and later justify his actions and obtain approval for his actions. According to section 85 of the Act, TTD was to utilize the funds for maintenance and operations of the temples, educational institutes, hospitals, choultries and rest-houses, veterinary hospital under the devesthanam control. Also provisions for water supply, sanitary arrangements, roads and communications, lighting and electricity were also included. Power to acquire land and immovable property was also added, provided TTD had state government permission.
In a nutshell, all the funds and income that comes to Lord Sri Venkateswara is at the mercy of TTD. How to spend billions of rupees donated to the Lord Hundi is decided on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh - not by the devotees, or Hindu Religious heads. But, by the Government proxies -who have no religious qualification of any kind (it may be lawful but not rightful)
Now, the act of 1969 is even controversial "Board of Trustees was expanded from five to eleven (11) with compulsory representation from certain communities. Three members from state legislative assembly, one person belonging to the scheduled castes and one woman member was made mandatory in the board of eleven whose term was fixed at three years"
In a nut shell, the Government of Andhra Pradesh brought caste, politicians, gender into the temple management. But, no qualifications for the management. It is not faith in the God (Lord Shri Venkateswara) but the confidence of Lord (Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh), that bestows them all powerful position at the temple.
Finally in the 1989 act - "abolishment of hereditary rights of temple priests" was the biggest controversy. Since then temple priests position vis-a-vis their duties and standing in the temple hierarchy was questioned. This decision brought the politics into the grassroot levels.
Before going further, we need to understand why Endowments Department of Andhra Pradesh came into existence. According to the department website "... the people freely donated large extents of properties and munificent grants to the religious and charitable institutions, the beneficiaries of which are the public at large within the frame work and scheme as intended by the donors. Though, the Hindu scriptures repeatedly ordain for making donations, it may be stated that little are no procedure seems to have been laid down in the said texts for the administration of such religious and charitable institutions. However, the administration of these institutions for their proper up-keep and maintenance and for safeguarding their properties and also for the fulfillment of the objects for which they are intended or founded continued to be vested in the successive Governments and the first piece of legislation appeared in 1817 and subsequently several enactments followed and presently, the APC & HRI & E Act (Act 30/87) came into force on 28th May 87 repealing the Act 17 of 1966 and thus the department supplies the supervisory agency in administering the affairs of the institutions and Endowments"
In the name of Endowments and their management, Government acquired rights and enacted acts to manage the temples and now the Religious affairs.
When we donate money in the Hundi or give endowments - every devotee has clear understanding - it is for the Lord and for the temple management. The problem starts at the Hundi and ends at the Hundi. Once the money comes in, it must be managed. In the name of Lord, in the name of Temple and in the name of Religion all decisions have to be taken.
Now who is that authority? Is it:
Temple priest, who is the custodian of the sanctum sanctorum, and performs all the holy duties, and confirms to Religious traditions
Religious heads (of various Hindu Peethas) who maintain various traditions of Saivism or Vaishnavism?
Temple Management comprising of the respectable village community
Devotees, who have immense faith in the God and offers donations or endowments for temple up keep
Government of Andhra Pradesh
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.... To be continued in Part-II
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