- Strong demand for the immediate and permanent repeal of the law
- Warning of intense protests across the State if the law is not repealed
From left to right - Vaibhav Apte, Kiran Kashikar, Jitendra Gadre, Keshav Vidwans (speaking), Sunil Ghanwat, Balkrishna Kavade and Tushar Kavade
Pune - In a joint press conference held here today, the trustees of the Ashtavinayak temples unanimously demanded that the State government immediately and unconditionally withdraw the 'Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Abolition Draft Act, 2026', which threatens Maharashtra's cultural identity and endangers hundreds of acres of land belonging to the Ashtavinayak temples that are revered by crores of Hindus as sacred places of worship. This draft, initiated by the Revenue and Forest Department, is a systematic conspiracy to destroy the autonomy of Hindu temples and their historical source of income. "On the one hand, the government is providing minority institutions with an impregnable legal shield, while on the other hand, it is handing over the properties of sacred Hindu temples to private individuals. The Ashtavinayak temples will never tolerate this discriminatory approach. We strongly oppose this proposed law," stated Mr Keshav Vidwans, trustee of the 'Chinchwad Devasthan Trust', on this occasion.
The conference was attended by Mr. Keshav Vidwans - Trustee of 'Chinchwad Devasthan Trust', which manages Shri Mayureshwar (Morgao), Shri Chintamani (Theur), Shri Siddhivinayak (Siddhatek), 'Shri Morya Gosavi Sanjeevan Samadhi Mandir' etc., Vice-President Mr. Vaibhav Apte and Mr. Jitendra Gadre of 'Shri Ballaleshwar Devasthan (Pali) Trust', Mr. Balkrishna Kavade, President of 'Shri Vighnahar Ganapati Devasthan Trust, Ozar', Trustee of 'Shri Ganapati Devasthan, Mahad' Mr. Kiran Kashikar and National covener of the Mandir Mahasangh Mr. Sunil Ghanwat. The sacred Ashtavinayak temples, which are the cultural and religious glory of Maharashtra, have now come forward against this potential crisis affecting all the temples in the State, and have strongly opposed this law.
Unequivocal stand of the temples!
Repeal the oppressive law that destroys the sources of income of Hindu temples and makes them dependent on others! - Chinchwad Devasthan Trust
On this occasion, Kishor Vidwans of Chinchwad Devasthan Trust said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Peshwas and historical royal families have given hundreds of acres of land as 'inam' (gifts) for the continuous conduct of Trikal Puja-Archa, Mahaprasad, Akhand Annachhatra, Naivedya and annual festivals in the Ashtavinayak temples of Morgaon, Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar and Ranjangaon. Due to sections 3 and 4 of this proposed law, these historical inams will be nullified with immediate effect and the land of the Deity will be transferred as private property in the name of the wahivatdar, mirasdar or priest.
Consequently, the lands that have been used for generations solely for the religious and social work of Shri Ganesh will be commercialised; Malls or hotels will be built there and gangs of land mafia will swallow up the land of the temples. With the destruction of the basic source of income, these self-dependent temples will, in the future, become helpless and dependent on government subsidies.
In a secular country like India, laws targeting only Hindu temples are outrageous: Shri Ballaleshwar Devasthan (Pali) Trust
Addressing the media, Mr Jitendra Gadre of Shri Ballaleshwar Devasthan (Pali) Trust said that Section 1 (Sub-section 2) of the draft Act is highly biased and objectionable; Through this, the lands under the jurisdiction of the Waqf Board have been completely excluded from this Act and given special protection. Abolishing the lands of only Hindu temples and supporting institutions of other religions is a violation of the 'Right to Equality' in Article 14 of the Constitution. In a country implementing a policy of secularism, giving such secondary treatment to the majority Hindu community and its temples, and making laws targeting Hindu temples is extremely outrageous.
Section 18 of this Act has made an anti-democratic provision that no devotee or temple trustee can appeal in a Civil Court against any arbitrary decision taken by the revenue officials (Tehsildar or District Collector). The government is imposing administrative oppression by closing the doors of the Courts. What is more shocking is that, instead of removing illegal encroachments on temple lands, directly granting ownership rights to the encroachers before January 1st, 2011, this is tantamount to the legal looting of sacred temple property.
Immediately repeal this oppressive draft that threatens the very existence of Hindu temples! - Mandir Mahasangh
National Convener of Mandir Mahasangh Sunil Ghanwat said that the government should immediately and permanently repeal this oppressive draft unconditionally, as it threatens the very existence of Hindu temples. The deadline for registering objections should be extended by at least 2 months so that this issue reaches the common devotees, villagers and temples in remote areas. On the lines of Gujarat, a strict 'Land Grabbing Prevention Act' should be implemented in Maharashtra as well, and special legal protection should be given to the lands of temples. To permanently stop the illegal transfer or sale of temple lands, a prominent and legal entry should be made mandatory on the 7/12 extracts as 'Non-transferable' and 'Temple land: Restricted power type'.
If the government tries to push through this law by trampling upon the sentiments of the Hindu community, a strong public movement will be launched across Maharashtra, bringing together religious institutions, sects, all temple trustees, Mandir Mahasangh and crores of Ganesh devotees, warned the National convener of Mandir Mahasangh, Sunil Ghanwat.
Deity's land should remain in the name of Deity and all rights should be under the jurisdiction of the temple : Shri Vighnahar Ganapati Devasthan Trust
Temples in rural areas run on the income from the land. Many social activities are implemented in Ozar. It is always our effort that the temple should be used for the poor and needy. It would be a great misfortune indeed, if due to this law, we have to give our own land to others. The Deity's land should remain in the name of Deity, and all rights should be under the jurisdiction of the temple. The government should try to repeal this law and ensure that the land of the temple remains under the control of the temple, said Balkrishna Kavade, Chairman of 'Vighnahar Ganpati Devasthan Trust' in Ozar.
Temple lands must remain with the temples to provide facilities for devotees!
Kiran Kashikar, trustee of the 'Shri Ganapati Sansthan' in Mahad, appealed that the property of temples should not be transferred and the ownership of temples and temple lands should remain untouched so that facilities can be provided to devotees.