Demand raised with the Govt. in agitation by hundreds of devotees gathered at Azad Maidan

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Take strict action against those indulging in corruption in Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

Mumbai – The Government took over Shree Siddhivinayak Temple with a view to provide it with a better management. However, instead of managing in better way, the Government-appointed Trustees have indulged in corruption and looted lakhs of rupees of temple funds. The politicians who indulge in corruption in every field did not leave even God as an exception. The Government should take strict action against corrupt Trustees who have destroyed the sanctity of the Temple by practising corruption there, demanded various devout Hindu organisations during a sit-in agitation held under the leadership of Shri Siddhivinayak Mandir Trust Bhrashtacharvirodhi Kruti Samiti. Shivsena MLA Shri. Bharatsheth Gigavale and Shri. Rajan Salvi visited the agitation and comprehended the demands.

The organisations which participated in the agitation held at Azad Maidan included Yog Vedant Samiti, Shriram Hindu Sena, Jain Sangh Panvel, Bajarang Dal, Shri Shivkarya Pratisthan-Vikroli, Hindu Rashtra Sena, Swarajya Yuva Pratishtan, Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti, Swarajya Mavla Pratisthan, Hindu Raksha Sena, Shri Bajrang Seva Dal, Parshuram Sena, Sanatan Sanstha, Hindu Janjagruti Samiti On this occasion, slogans were raised against Government take over and corruption in Temples, by holding placards. Hundreds of devotees from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad Districts participated in the agitation and unanimously demanded strict action against those indulging in corruption in Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. A representation was submitted to the Principal Secretary of Law and Justice Deparment on behalf of all devotees and the Action Committee.

*Government should take immediate action against corrupt trustee ! – MLA Bharatsheth Gogawale*

I expressly protest against former corrupt trustees of siddhivinayak temple. Government should take immediate action against corrupt trustee of Siddhivinayak Temple.

*Being a hindu, I will put my honest efforts into raising this subject in the Maharashtra assembly ! – MLA Rajan Salvi, Shivsena*

Shri Siddhivinayak Mandir is an auspicious place not only for Maharashtra but also for the hindus living outside India. I am sure that Chief Minister Devendra Phadanavis will end this corruption. Corrupts who have looted the Mandir funds will be punished by the Government. As a Hindu I will put my sincere efforts into raising this issue in Maharashtra Assembly.

The Anti-corruption Action Committee of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple has recently exposed the corruption of lakhs of rupees committed by some former trustees of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. The devotees have become extremely enraged about these misdeeds. Moreover, the report submitted by retired Justice Tipnis has exposed the corruption by some former Trustees of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. However, the Government has taken no action on the report so far. As a result, many such instances of corruption in the Temple are being witnessed often. The inaction by the Government over the aspects connected with the faith of Hindus is very disturbing for the faith of Hindus. To defalcate the God’s money is the greatest sin.

For last 10 days, the The Anti-corruption Action Committee of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and devotees at Andheri, Dadar, Ghatkopar and Bhadup in Mumbai, Kalyan, Dombivali, Ambarnath and Thane city in Thane District, Panvel and Taloja in Raigad District, Nalasopara in Palghar District and at 12 places including Koparkhairane etc. in Navi Mumbai, have undertaken a signature campaign and created awareness about the corruption indulged by former Trustees. Thousands of citizens have given spontaneous response to the signature campaign and supported the agitation against corruption.

How the corruption took place : The instruction were issued by the Government that the Trustees should not undertake any tours with Temple funds without permission from the Government. If the tours are required to be taken in exceptional circumstances, prior permission should be sought from the Department; control should be kept on overtime allowances of use of vehicles and their drivers. Despite these instructions, the Trustees of the Temple Trust have undertaken travel under the pretext of study-tours between 1st January 2015 to 31st August 2016, for conducting study of donations to be granted for Jalayukta Shivar (Irrigation facilities) and medical equipments. During these tours, expenditure of Rs. 8,11,259 was made in addition to Rs. 4,80,040 incurred towards overtime payment of drivers. The total amount spent comes to Rs. 12,91,291. This expenditure includes lodging, boarding, etc. Thus, a large amount of Temple funds was defalcated in such a manner.

The Trustees have indulged in various acts of corruption such as spending lakhs of rupees by undertaking tours without permission, attaching fake bills, making donations of Rs. 50 lakhs and Rs. 20 lakhs to the Trusts of Govindrao Adik (Former Minister for Law and Justice) and Dilip Sopal (Former Minister of State) respectively as per the report by Justice Tipnis, awarding donations worth lakhs of rupees to several institutes by flouting rules, etc. The Anti-corruption Action Committee of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and devotees demanded with the Government that criminal cases should be filed against the corrupt Trustees who have donated lakhs of rupees to various institutes by flouting rules and such defalcated money, which belongs to God should be recovered along with interest, from these Trustees.