Resolutions:Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha Conference

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Resolutions passed in the second Conference of the Hindu Dharma

Acharya

Sabha held in Mumbai on October 16-18,2005

HPI

 

MUMBAI, INDIA, October 26, 2005: (HPI note: Following is, in full,

the

statement and resolutions issued by the Acharya Summit recently

concluded in Mumbai.)

 

In this second Conference of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, Heads

of

ancient Sampradayas, which collectively constitute Sanatana Dharma

(Hindu Dharma) deliberated on various issues of importance to Hindu

Society. Seventy-two Acharyas of Mathas, Mahamandalesvars and

Mandalesvars of several Akharas from different parts of the country

representing seventeen Sampardayas participated in the Conference.

 

The substance of the deliberations is mentioned below in a brief

statement and it is followed by the Resolutions passed by the

Acharya

Sabha.

 

Statement:

 

The various Sampradayas constitute Hindu Dharma and, in fact, the

latter

is the collective of the Sampradayas. In as much as the Acharya

Sabha

has such a large membership, virtually all Sampradayas, the Sabha is

committed to speak for Hindu Dharma and represent the interests and

views of the Hindu population of the country. For the same reason,

the

Acharya Sabha shall engage in discussion with anyone or any

government

or any other entity including those representing different

religions, on

matters of importance to Hindus.

 

Likewise it is the function and responsibility of the Acharya Sabha

and

its members to take all steps necessary for protecting and

strengthening

the Hindu Society in all aspects.

 

There are three major issues relating to the sense of self-esteem

and

health of Hindu society. The control of temples by governments

treating

them as merely public charitable institutions and not as places of

worship and cultural value to Hindus; the rampant religious

conversion

that is taking place unabated without let up or hindrance from

governments; and the unjust reverse discrimination to which Hindus

are

subjected by organs of the State in the country under a wholly

untenable

pretext of secularism.

 

In the light of the foregoing conclusions the Acharya Sabha passes

the

following Resolution and call for their vigorous implementation:

 

1. Releasing temples from the control of governments

 

Whereas governments are running temples virtually as departments of

governments;

 

Whereas temple funds are misused and misdirected by governments

through

the managing committees which are totally under the control of the

governments and government servants;

 

Whereas temples wealth and income are treated as a source of

patronage

by political leaders and misused for purposes other than the welfare

of

the temples and Hindu society to which the wealth rightfully belongs;

 

It is therefore resolved that

 

A coordinated and multi-pronged action shall be undertaken and

continued

till success is achieved in securing the release of temples from the

present system of control by the governments.

 

Vigorous efforts shall continue to seek modifications in the

existing

law governing individual temples and in the Endowment law of some

States, so that amended Statutes serve as model for other temple

legislation

 

Grass root mechanisms and structures may be created by way of

devotee

committees to manage smaller temples that State governments may be

ready

to release, gather and refine the experience acquired to help

prepare

standard models of temple governance free from governmental

interference; and

 

Undertake the required legal research by a competent and committed

team

to contest the constitutionality of the discrimination inherent in

the

control of only temples, which are places of worship and cultural

importance and value to Hindus.

 

2. Religious Conversion

 

Taking note that

 

Explicit goals of large-scale conversion in India, are being

vigorously

pursued by overseas missionary agencies;

 

Vast sums of money are pouring into the country from overseas

missionary

sources to finance local prosyletisers and to make available

allurement

of all kinds to the poor people in the country;

 

It is therefore resolved that

 

The Acharya members shall try to undertake systematic travel and

tours

to distant village and tribal communities and reassure people that

their

indigenous religious faiths shall be preserved, their educational,

health, economic and social needs to be attended to;

 

Efforts shall be made to foster a strong sense of identity and self

esteem in poor and disadvantaged Hindu communities in far away

localities; and

 

In their kathas and pravachans Acharya members shall specifically

discourage outdated discriminatory practices still prevalent in

society

and strengthen the spirit of caring among their devotee population.

 

Hindu Dharma Rakshana Samitis shall be set up at district taluk and

village levels.

 

3. Flawed interpretation of Secularism.

 

Noting with dismay and disapproval the flawed interpretation of the

concept of secular State, which in effects results in the reverse

discrimination of the majority population in the country, namely

Hindus.

 

It is resolved that

 

The faulty concept shall be contested at all possible forums;

 

The public shall be educated on the issue by the Acharyas in their

pravachans; and

 

Opportunities shall be explored to get legal redress.

 

4. Establishment of a Hindu center for learning

 

Considering the need for installing Hindu cultural values in young

students and for preparing them adequately to face the rapidly

changing

world, still retaining those values; and

 

Considering the need for deep study of and research in our

scriptures,

cultural/religious literature of other religions and inter-religious

matters, so as to strengthen participation of Hindus scholars as

inter

faith dialogues and conferences;

 

It is resolved that

 

The possibility of setting up suitable educational institutions with

appropriate curriculum and a Center for Hindu higher learning should

be

explored, and set up

 

5. Organizational matters

 

It was resolved that

 

Regional coordinators may be nominated from among the Acharya

members

for the north-east; Orissa and Bengal; Punjab, Haryana, UP and

Bihar;

Gujrat and Maharashtra; Karnataka; Andhra Pradesh; Kerela and Tamil

Nadu; and for Madhya Pradesh and Utharaanchal.

 

The central office of the Acharya Sabha shall be suitably

strengthened.

 

An emergency Deliberations Council shall be created and it shall be

functional till the next Conference of the Acharya Sabha.

 

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