Stop spending on festivities; focus on education, healthcare: RSS to temples

Nagpur, May 2: After advocating for women's entry in places of worship, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wants temples to stop spending huge amount of money in cultural programmes and instead do charity.

The 'sangh' has appealed to the temple authorities to work for education and health facilities rather than wasting money in organising mimicry shows, fireworks, film shows and animal processions, a report published in a daily newspaper said.

J Nandakumar, publicity-incharge of the RSS, told the newspaper that lakhs of rupees are spent in magic and mimicry shows, which are showcased as cultural programmes.

He asserted that cultural programmes should be held in line with the traditions and there should be no vulgarity.

A huge stock of fireworks exploded before dawn on April 10 at the Puttingal Devi temple at Paravur town near Kollam, killing 114 people and injuring some 350 others.

RSS' new stand comes after the organistation recently said restriction on entry of women in any temple is “unfair” and management in the temples doing so should change their mentality.

RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi said, “Women go to thousands of temple across the country but in reference to some, where their entry is an issue, there is a need to change the mentality. Management of such temples should also understand this.”