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VHP takes up Vaishnodevi controversy

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad Tuesday demanded an end to political and government interference in the administration of Hindu shrines in the country.

The control of these, it said, should be given to the 850 million Hindus.

VHP working president Ashok Singhal came down heavily on the Jammu and Kashmir government's move to constitute a new committee to manage the affairs of the Vaishnodevi shrine, replacing the old Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board formed in 1986 by then state governor Jagmohan. The move smacked of a ''conspiracy'' to usurp Rs 1 billion that had been collected by the board as offerings and which was being used for improving facilities for pilgrims, Singhal alleged.

He warned of a nation-wide agitation if the state government did not cancel the proposed step before the coming navratras.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a cabinet sub-committee to examine the amendments proposed to the Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Act. The sub-committee comprises state ministers for law and parliamentary affairs, industries and commerce, revenue, rural development, finance and animal husbandry.

The management of the Vaishnodevi shrine is in the hands of about 2,000 baridars (traditional caretakers) who used to ''pocket'' a major portion of the money that was offered at the shrine. There was practically no development of the shrine.

However, the role of the baridars was scrapped by the Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Act brought by Jagmohan, who constituted the Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board. The board has the state governor as chairman and 10 other members. The government does not have any say in the matters of the board.

Jagmohan's action was upheld by the Supreme Court.

UNI

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