Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, General Secretary of the All India Sant Samiti, expressed strong reaction to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu seeking cooperation from the temples. Swami Jitendranand Saraswati said that this step of the government seeking cooperation from Hindu temples seems to be inspired by political reasons, which cannot be accepted.
Swami Jitendranand Saraswati while talking to news agency IANS on Friday said that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has demanded help from temples, but what is the purpose behind it? We cannot accept that the government will use the offerings of Hindu temples in non-Hindu works. This is wrong and it should not happen. He raised the question as to why Chief Minister Sukhu sought help from temples, while there are many Christian and Muslim organizations in the world, who are converting Hindus in the name of service.
He said that why is such a help not being sought from such Christian and Muslim organizations? Money can also be obtained from them, but seeking help from temples only shows that Sanatani and Hindus have always been helping others and will still do today.
Swami Jitendranand Saraswati also clarified that Himachal Pradesh is Devbhoomi and has always supported natural disasters, but it is a great sin to see the Hindu monasteries and temples with greed. He said that Hindu monasteries and temples have always come forward in the time of crisis, and if needed, they will always help, but under no circumstances will it allow the offerings of Hindu temples to be misused.
Himachal Pradesh is currently going through a situation of economic crisis. The Sukhu government of the state is now expecting help from religious trusts and temples to overcome disaster and continue operations of government schemes. This is the reason that the government has written a letter to the big temples of the state and sought financial help.