emples Protection Movement (TPM) has demanded that the Union Government pay compensation of Rs.1,000 crore to temple priests and their families as it had failed to ensure the implementation of the amendments suggested by the Supreme Court to the controversial Endowments Legislation, 1987, by the Andhra Pradesh Government. It also submitted a petition to the President, seeking justice for Archakas (temple priests).
The TPM, in its petition, detailed the trampling of the rights of temple priests and devotees under the controversial legislation implemented by the Andhra Pradesh government.
The movement convenor, Soundara Rajan, said that the petition submitted to the President, pointed out that the Endowment Legislation 30/1987 enacted by the then united AP government was unconstitutional as it denied the rights of priests and devotees. Subsequently, the Supreme Court upheld the legislation in 1996 but provided for some important safeguards in 1997. However, they were also not implemented by the AP government and it would amount to violation of the apex court’s directive.
Subsequently, the Endowments Act was amended in 2007 but was not implemented so far, leading to the impoverishment of lakhs of Archaka families. This would entitle the Archaka families to seek legal compensation of Rs.1,000 crore.
Dr. Soundara Rajan said that the Temple Protection Movement also sought the review of the Essential Practices Doctrine followed by the Supreme Court as it was used in deciding against the Santhara ritual followed by the Jain minority community for thousands of years. Lakhs of Jain community people were agitating against the Rajasthan High Court order banning the ritual as it would go against religious freedom in India. Meanwhile, the President’s office referred the petition to the Telangana government on July 7 but it has been pending with the Telangana government, he said
The Temples Protection Movement appealed to the Telangana government to support the petition and send it back to the President to protect the rights of the Archaka community and minority Jain community, he said.
Temples Protection Movement in its petition to the President points out that the Endowment Legislation 30/1987 enacted by the then united AP government was unconstitutional as it denied the rights of priests and devotees
