The Supreme Court on Monday sought the response of the Andhra Pradesh government on an application filed by the association of founders of Hindu religious and charitable institutions (AFRCI) of Andhra
The Supreme Court on Monday sought the response of the Andhra Pradesh government on an application filed by the association of founders of Hindu religious and charitable institutions (AFRCI) of Andhra Pradesh, seeking protection of temples.
A bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Rohinton Nariman also issued notice on similar applications filed by Ahobila Math and BJP MP Subramanian Swami as well as on an application from Dayanand Saraswathi for a direction that the temples in the two states and the Union Territory of Puducherry be audited.
In the application, Dayan-and Saraswati alleged that the funds from temples are being misused by the TN Hindu and charitable endo-wments department and there are several lapses. The rent collected from temple properties are diverted and used for other purposes and temples are not being properly maintained. Only a proper audit will en-sure accountability, it said.
The president of AFHRCI, S.V. Sudhakar Rao, submitted that unfortunately, the state of Andhra Pradesh views temple trust boards as nothing but a place for political rehabilitation for members of the party in power. It said that over the years, various state governments have virtually nationalised Hindu religious establishments.
