Funds Of Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Were Used To Throw Iftaar Parties, Alleges Petition

A petition filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has alleged that the funds of Vaishno Devi shrine board were squandered off to throw Iftaar parties, Bar and Bench has reported.

The petition has been filed by the Baridar Sangharsh Committee and 54 others who are seeking rights to the administration and governance of the holy Hindu shrine. The Baridars used to manage the temple's affairs until 1986, when it was taken over by the state.

The petition alleges that, "shrine Board funds were squandered for throwing Iftaar parties in favour of members of a different religious group. It is argued that funds from the Shrine have been spent by the Board beyond the scope of Section 4 of the 1988 Act causing a broad daylight heist on Hindu sentiments".

The petition has also argued that the ability of the Hindu community to manage its own religious institutions has been systematically eroded in the last few decades after they were placed under the "thumb of the state".

It goes on to state that, "the State in brazen violation of Article 14 has exercised its authority only against Hindu Temples."

The petition has also accused the shrine board of corruption and has demanded an external audit.

The J&K High Court judge Justice Javed Iqbal Wani has now issued a notice to the UT administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.