Demand to End Government Control of Hindu Temples

There is a growing demand among right-wing groups to end government control over Hindu temples, stemming from controversies such as the one involving the Tirupati temple. Currently, many important temples are managed by boards and trusts that include government representatives, which raises concerns about the administrative control exerted by the state. The government takes a portion of the temple offerings, typically used for secular purposes such as education and health, but critics argue that this is discriminatory against the Hindu community compared to the management of places of worship for other religions. This issue of control dates back to colonial times when the British enacted laws to manage temple affairs, and it continues to be a point of contention in contemporary Indian society.