Religion on contract: Temples in Bihar are given out to criminals

PATNA: Dozens of temples, mutts and religious trusts in Bihar have illegally handed over their managements to another party, sometimes even to criminals, on a contract, according to a senior state official.

"This was revealed during an inquiry into the management of these temples and trusts," said Kishore Kunal, the newly-appointed administrator of the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts (BSBRT).

He said that in all such cases, the mahants (caretakers) had handed over the management of the properties of the mutts, temples and trusts to a second party on a contract. They would then share the profit from the offerings and donations.

"It shocked us because it is illegal to run religious places on a contractual basis," said Kunal, who is a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

He said that of the 2,800 registered mutts, temples and trusts, nearly 90 percent were "directly or indirectly under the control of 'bahubalis' (criminals)." 

"They have been illegally occupying the properties for many years," he added. In some cases, the 'bahubalis' have sold off the properties.

"We have been preparing a list of irregularities, corruption and illegal control of such properties and sending notices to the people concerned. We have already sent notices to some people," Kunal said.

Among the first to get a notice from the board is Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Raghunath Jha's son, who built a petrol pump on land allegedly owned by the Kabirpanthi mutt.

The BSBRT has decided to seek an explanation from the mahants of the concerned religious institutions before initiating action.