India Legal News: Temple Administration and Allegations of Corruption

Allegations of corruption have grown stronger against the ex-Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, B. Karunakar Reddy, following which he threatened to go on infinite hunger strike, if the government does not take any action in response to his appeal for an inquiry within next 2 days. The allegations pertain to financial irregularities in the administration of the Tirupati Temple. The TTD is the regulatory body that governs the temples in Andhra Pradesh and is currently facing corruption charges for selling ‘darshan tickets in black marketing.’ Another grave allegation pertains to misplacing Lord Tirupati’s precious ornaments. 

India Legal News: Karunakar Reddy Denies All Charges

According to India legal news reports, the ex-Chairman of TTD denied allegations, stating that the Opposition is deliberately fabricating allegations against him. He stated that he had submitted a memorandum to the governor's office, which sought an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation or through a sitting High Court Judge.  He stated that these allegations hurt the sentiments of crores of devotees.

While explaining about the missing ornaments, the current TTD Executive Officer, I.Y.R Krishna Rao stated that all the ornaments of Lord Tirupati Balaji are intact and not missing. Some jewelry was melted for gold plating of the temple tower in the 1950s but the temple authorities have maintained records of all the valuable ornaments of the Lord. However, no records were maintained during the ancient times pertaining to the donations of the ornaments.

The State Government has kept mum and not taken any action over the corruption charges against the TTD. The political blame game has just begun and controversies continue to simmer about misuse of religion or corruption in temple administration.

India Legal News: Temple Administration Laws Need to Be Updated

As per India legal news, there is growing demand for temple administration laws to be revised and made more stringent. This is due to the mounting allegations of corruption and misuse of funds by those who occupy positions of responsibility. Typically, political leaders are involved in appointing temple administrators, which makes it more difficult to make them legally accountable in a court of law.

A draft Bill that provides for temple administration through the mechanism of a legitimate society and its trustees shall enable a more transparent, efficient way of administering temples in a just manner. Through careful scrutiny, devotees can be given positions of responsibility on a rotational basis so as to weed out political appointments by the politicians and weed out corrupt elements from exploiting the temple coffers. The bye laws of each society, accompanied by clear details of its trustees, shall contribute to the growth of the temple and the welfare of the devotees and most importantly, contribute to the society meaningfully.