Yamunanagar | Pen of Democracy News Desk

A long-standing dispute has surfaced over the management of the historic Shri Sanatan Dharam Temple in Model Town, one of Yamunanagar’s oldest and most prominent religious institutions. The controversy escalated on Friday after the Shri Sanatan Dharam Temple Sangharsh Committee levelled a series of allegations against the temple’s present executive body, demanding an independent judicial inquiry into its functioning. Addressing a press conference at the Gymkhana Club, committee members claimed that the temple’s affairs are no longer being administered in accordance with the constitution framed at the time of its establishment in 1956. They alleged that irregularities have crept into the institution’s membership process, financial management, administration of temple properties and the functioning of educational institutions associated with the temple. Committee president Virender Azmani said the temple was founded through the collective efforts of local residents and devotees, with a democratic constitution providing for transparent elections and decision-making. According to him, the institution originally had nearly 100 members who participated in governance through consensus and elections. The committee alleged that the administrative structure began changing after the 2002 elections and gradually moved away from the original constitutional framework. General Secretary Manish Malik claimed that the number of active members has been drastically reduced and that only a limited group currently holds voting rights, resulting in major decisions being concentrated in the hands of a few individuals. Former office-bearers Vipin Mehta and Ashwani Nanda also raised concerns regarding an educational institution established under the temple trust. They alleged that the school, originally envisioned to provide education to underprivileged children under the temple’s supervision, is no longer functioning in accordance with its founding objectives.  The Sangharsh Committee further questioned the allotment of shops situated within the temple premises, alleging that the process lacked transparency and that complete details of rental income and its utilisation have not been placed before devotees and members. The committee has demanded a high-level judicial probe into the temple’s administration and financial affairs. Temple Management Rejects Allegations Responding to the allegations, Temple Sabha President Vijay Mehta categorically denied all charges, describing them as “baseless, fabricated and motivated.” He maintained that the temple is being managed strictly in accordance with applicable rules and legal provisions. According to Mehta, all financial transactions, donations and property-related records are properly maintained and can be produced before competent authorities whenever required. He alleged that certain individuals were attempting to tarnish the image of the institution for personal reasons and asserted that the temple executive would respond to the allegations through appropriate legal channels. Appealing to devotees and the public, Mehta urged people not to be influenced by unverified claims or rumours and to continue supporting the institution while preserving its dignity.

POD/DESK