Archive · 8 Aug 2026
VHP begins nationwide push for devotee control of Hindu temples
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is a big group in India that looks after Hindu traditions.
One of its leaders, Alok Kumar, said in Mangaluru that they want Hindus to take care of their own temples.
Right now, some temples are run by the government.
The group wants the people who visit and donate to the temples to control them instead.
They plan to talk to important leaders like Chief Ministers and Governors and ask them to change the rules.
They will also hold big public meetings in the main cities to get support.
Mr. Kumar also spoke about the famous Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Some money troubles were found there, and the temple managers called the police and asked for an investigation.
He wants anyone who did something wrong to be quickly tried and punished, so everyone can trust that temples are managed honestly.
VHP International President Alok Kumar announced a nationwide campaign to hand government-administered Hindu temples over to devotees and the Hindu community.
The Temple Freedom Movement will intensify across the country in 2026, with teams delivering memoranda to Chief Ministers, Governors, MPs and legislators.
Public conventions in principal cities will seek to build popular backing, with senior citizens, religious leaders and distinguished personalities attending.
Kumar called for professional temple management — including seasoned CEOs — and greater openness in temple governance.
On the Ayodhya Ram Temple donation irregularities, Kumar said the trust filed an FIR and sought an SIT inquiry, urging fast-track trials and prison terms for those accountable.
- Who
- Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International President Alok Kumar, on behalf of the organisation leading the Temple Freedom Movement.
- What
- Announced a nationwide campaign to transfer government-administered Hindu temples to devotee and community control, backed by memoranda to officials and public conventions.
- When
- Announced on Friday, with the campaign scheduled for stronger nationwide activity in 2026.
- Where
- Announced in Mangaluru; the campaign will span India, targeting state Chief Ministers, Governors, MPs and legislators, with conventions in principal cities.
- Why
- To remove state control over temples, ensure transparency and professional management, and protect devotees' contributions from improper use.
Devotee-led temple management
State administration of temples
Control of Hindu temples
Devotee-led temple management
The VHP argues that Hindu temples currently under government administration should be handed back to devotees and the Hindu community, with professional CEOs and greater transparency to protect devotees' contributions from improper use.
State administration of temples
Under the current arrangement, Hindu temples are administered by the government, and the proposed campaign seeks to remove that state control by delivering memoranda to Chief Ministers, Governors, MPs and legislators.
- Campaign name
- Temple Freedom Movement
- Announced by
- Alok Kumar, VHP International President
- Announcement venue
- Mangaluru
- Target year for intensified activity
- 2026
- Advocacy targets
- Chief Ministers, Governors, MPs, legislators
- Planned actions
- Memoranda to officials, public conventions in principal cities
- Ayodhya Ram Temple probe
- FIR filed; SIT inquiry sought by trust; fair investigation asserted
- Demanded outcome
- Fast-track trials and prison terms for those held accountable