Jammu, Dec 01: A united front of prominent Hindu organizations on Monday voiced intense displeasure over recent policy moves by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, accusing it of straying from Sanatan Dharma values and mismanaging offerings made by devotees. The delegation, comprising representatives from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, Sanatan Dharma Sabha and the Jammu Kashmir Sanatan Samaj Nyas, announced plans to intensify their campaign until the Board’s actions reflect the faith and expectations of the Hindu community.
The alliance alleged that institutions run by the Shrine Board, particularly its medical college, have overlooked spiritual principles central to the revered shrine, prompting widespread concern about the ethos governing these establishments. They warned that such deviations not only weaken cultural foundations but also cause emotional unrest among worshippers nationwide.
Addressing reporters after the strategy meeting, Mahant Rameshwar Dass said the institutions financed by the offerings of devotees carry a sacred responsibility. He insisted that when practices within them drift from the Dharmic path, trust is breached and corrective steps become unavoidable.
The leadership further objected to what they described as improper use of Chadhava, funds consecrated through religious devotion. Mahant Rajesh Bittoo questioned the ethics of allocating such resources to environments where activities reportedly conflict with traditional values, urging greater accountability from the Board.
Former legislator Col Sukhvir Singh Mankotia pressed for immediate dialogue with the Core Group constituted to address these concerns. He cautioned that decisions affecting the faith of millions should not proceed without consultation, calling for a mass movement rooted in temple participation and public outreach to safeguard Aastha.
Organizers confirmed that upcoming actions will include engagement with spiritual authorities across Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the issue reaches religious congregations and discourse platforms. They pledged transparency, vowing to promptly share decisions emerging from these consultations.
The meeting was attended by Mahant Shri Ramnarayan Das Shastri, Mahamantri Mohan Bharti, Swami Somanand Maharaj and other supporters including Parshotam Dadhichi, Shilpi Verma, Deepak Gupta, Parbhat Singh, Sanjay Gupta, Abhishek Gupta, R K Chibber and Baldev Singh, who committed to sustaining the agitation until the Shrine Board reconsiders its approach.
