State control of temples is an issue that’s emotionally charged and fraught with contradictions, allowing political opportunism to have a field day.
The separation of church and state is an idea that is at the core of a liberal democracy. One where church refers to religion in general and state to the government. It calls upon the two institutions to limit themselves to their core competencies. The spiritual aspects of life are left to the church; matters of governance are the state’s domain.
Things are a lot different in India, though. Nearly 15 state governments have oversight over temples in their territory. To varying extents, they control aspects like the appointment of priests as well as the monitoring of income and expenses. …
Omkar specializes in long-form narrative features and has reported from India, the UK, Germany and the Maldives. He writes across beats, from politics and crime to cinema and sports. His works have been published in Indian and international outlets including The Caravan, Mint Lounge, the BBC, Al Jazeera and The Huffington Post.
Senior Features Writer
omkar@mailtmc.com
Delhi