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Politics, Governance and Religion: A Study on the Administration of Hindu Shrines in Kerala explores the state-temple relations in a secular polity, concern of devotees regarding the issues prevailing in the administration of Devaswoms at the auspices of the state, possibilities of a unified Devaswom administration for the betterment of both the temples and the employees and also enquires better alternative administrative systems for the temples in the state. Shrines or Temples cater the spiritual and cultural aspirations of Hindus and occupy a predominant place in the socio- political, economic and cultural scenario of the state. Owing to the power, influence and wealth of the temples, the Government took over their administration in disguise of corruption in 1811. When the monarchy gave way to democracy the temples were also entrusted with the popular Government. Due to the progressive land legislations, large tracts of landed properties belonged to the temples were lost that affected the revenue of the temples considerably. In Kerala, majority of Hindu shrines are managed by the state regulated Devaswom governing bodies. The study mainly focused on the administration of temples under the state management, vested with autonomous bodies called Devaswom Boards or Devaswom Managing Committees. At present the temples in Kerala are administered by three Devaswom Boards and two Devaswom Managing Committees as per the four Devaswom Acts. The study enquired how the diverse laws of Devaswoms affect the administration of temples particularly the low- income temples in Malabar where the absence of common pooling of fund, like that of the Travancore and Cochin Devaswoms, poses difficulties in supporting the low-income temples. An analysis of the state- temple relationship in a secular polity has been undertaken through the study which proves that the governmental control gradually paved the way for the politicisation of its administration. Nomination of Members of Devaswom committees by the Hindu Ministers and Hindu MLAs remains contradictory to the secular spirit of the Constitution. The grave administrative issues faced by the temples such as political interference, nomination of non-believers in Devaswom managing committees, trade unionism among temple employees, corruption, mismanagement of funds, theft, pathetic conditions of temples, land encroachment, financial stringency, Sabarimala issue etc., were analysed through the study. A secular state`s intervention in the religious affairs is viewed as paradoxical as the religious institutions of other communities are largely left free for deciding their own religious affairs. Private temples are excluded from the purview of the study.
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ISBN : 9789353249410
Pages : 334
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