1. About the Campaign
The Hindu Equal Rights and Temple Autonomy Campaign aims to support legal advocacy, policy research and public awareness initiatives relating to the constitutional, cultural and religious rights of Hindu communities.
The Trust works towards ensuring equitable treatment under law, protecting Hindu religious institutions and preserving cultural traditions. Its efforts focus on questions concerning the management of temples, constitutional equality, religious freedom and laws that the Trust believes require further review or reform.
2. The Problem and the Solution
The Trust believes that certain legal, administrative and institutional frameworks do not provide Hindu religious institutions and communities with the same degree of autonomy or protection available to other religious groups.
A major concern is the government administration of Hindu temples in several states. According to the Trust, such control can limit the ability of devotees and community institutions to independently manage temple finances, religious activities, properties and charitable programmes.
The Trust also seeks public and judicial examination of laws that it considers unequal or restrictive, including the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 and other legal provisions affecting Hindu religious and cultural rights.
The funds raised through this campaign will be used to:
- Conduct legal and constitutional research.
- Support public-interest litigation and legal representation.
- Advocate for equal legal and constitutional treatment of Hindu communities.
- Promote the autonomous management of Hindu temples by devotees and community institutions.
- Study laws and policies that may affect Hindu religious rights.
- Prepare legal documents, policy papers and research reports.
- Organise public discussions, conferences and awareness programmes.
- Engage legal experts, researchers, scholars and community representatives.
- Document matters involving temple administration, religious freedom and cultural rights.
- Promote the preservation of Hindu traditions, practices and institutions.
Through legal advocacy and public engagement, the campaign seeks to create greater awareness and encourage lawful, constitutional and democratic reforms.
3. Expected Impact and Beneficiaries
The campaign is expected to benefit Hindu devotees, temple communities, priests, religious institutions, cultural organisations, researchers and citizens interested in constitutional and religious rights.
The expected impact includes:
- Greater public awareness of legal issues affecting Hindu institutions.
- Stronger legal representation in matters involving temples and religious rights.
- Increased discussion around transparency and community participation in temple administration.
- Development of research and policy recommendations on constitutional equality.
- Protection and promotion of Hindu religious and cultural practices.
- Improved documentation of temple-related legal and administrative issues.
- Greater participation of devotees in the governance and preservation of Hindu institutions.
- Support for lawful reforms through courts, legislatures and public-policy processes.
The long-term objective is to build a framework in which Hindu religious institutions can operate transparently, independently and in accordance with constitutional principles.
4. Geographic Area
Primary Area: India
States and Districts: Based on the location of temples, legal matters and advocacy initiatives
Programme Reach: National, through legal advocacy, research and public-awareness programmes