Free Temple Movement: Bombay HC lists Dr. Subramanian Swamy’s plea on Pandharpur Temples Act for 5th July

Dr. Swamy's contention is that the affairs of the temples were heavily mismanaged in terms of religious offerings, and the rituals of the temples were not being followed as per Hindu customs

PGurus Newsdesk

April 28, 2023

Dr. Swamy's contention is that the affairs of the temples were heavily mismanaged in terms of religious offerings, and the rituals of the temples were not being followed as per Hindu customs

Dr. Swamy’s PIL to the Bombay HC urges to repeal the unconstitutional Pandharpur Temples Act

Bombay High Court to hear the plea by former RS member and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy challenging the Pandharpur Temples Act (PTA) of 1973, on July 5. Dr. Swamy appeared in person while Advocate General Birendra Saraf appeared on behalf of the State.

Dr. Swamy had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court saying that the Pandharpur Temples Act (PTA) of 1973 be declared unconstitutional and discontinued.

Dr. Swamy’s contention is that the affairs of the temples were heavily mismanaged in terms of religious offerings, and the rituals of the temples were not being followed as per Hindu customs. His plea stated that the same had an adverse effect on Hindu religious sentiments and their fundamental rights.

The plea added that “By taking control over the Pandharpur temples, the government is ousting the rights of Hindus to profess, practice, and propagate their religion and to manage Hindu Religious Endowments and their own affairs in matters of religion. It is also stated that even though the Pandharpur Temples Act was passed in 1973, the administration was vested with the previous priest, and only after 2014 had the government taken over the temple’s administration.”

The plea added, “Even if the management of a temple is taken over to remedy the evil, the management must be handed over to the person concerned immediately after the evil stands remedied. Continuation of take over after the evil is remedied would be tantamount to usurpation of proprietary rights or violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”

The plea stated that by taking control over the Pandharpur temples, the state is ousting the rights of Hindus to profess, practice, and propagate their religion, and to manage Hindu Religious Endowments and their own affairs in matters of religion.

It is also said that even though the Act was passed in 1973, the administration was vested with the previous priest and only after 2014, the government had taken over the administration of the temple.

“The role of a priest in the instant matter is completely a religious matter and such interference is violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, read with freedom of faith and belief to worship under the Preamble”, the PIL stated.

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