Mandir Mukti Debate: Temples, Massive Wealth, One Debate: Who Should Run India's Shrines?

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has launched a nationwide "Mandir Mukti" campaign demanding that Hindu temples be freed from government control. The issue centres around state oversight of temple administration, finances and properties across several states. Supporters argue that temple affairs should be managed by devotees and religious communities, while governments maintain that oversight ensures transparency and proper management of temple assets. With nearly one lakh temples estimated to be under some form of state supervision and temple wealth running into lakhs of crores, the debate has once again moved to the national stage.