Over the years the J&K Dharmarth Trust has been makingall efforts to fulfil the mission for which it was created by the founder ofJammu & Kashmir, Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1846. The Trust has faced severalchallenges over the decades, being a Hindu Religious Trust, it has alsosuffered consequences of looking after the minority interests in the State.Despite all challenges the Trust has kept alive its fundamental duties towardskeeping alive Sanatan Dharm under difficult conditions. Our Chairman Trustee,Dr. Karan Singh took personal interest in restoring both Mata Jwala Ji Temple,Khrew (with the help of the local Hindu community) and the Shiva Temple inRainawari, Srinagar.

Wherever deemed fit, for the benefit of the public,the Trust also entered into joint ventures with the State Tourism Department,particularly successful are the Ram Mandir complex at Suchetgarh, Jammu andMata Kheer Bhawani at Tulamula, Srinagar. The Trust has spared no efforts tomaintain the dignity and pride of Hindu Temples and Shrines under itsmanagement spread across the vast regions of Jammu & Kashmir. 

1.    Background of current unrest

However, it is important to mention that over theyears the very employees seen striking today have indulged in corrupt practicesand gross malpractices to benefit their personal interest. There are numerousoccasions wherein managers and pujaris were seen misappropriating temple funds/properties and even illegally transferring and occupying lands of the DharmarthTrust. In the past few years the Trust Management has taking serious note ofthese activities, has taken strict remedial actions and reform measures thathave not gone down well with such employees.

Especially, in the Shri Raghunath Ji Temple complex inJammu city, several complaints were received from the public and devotees aboutrude behaviour of Pujaris who were forcibly extracting donations for theirpersonal pockets. The Management took several strong steps in the publicinterest to address such grievances which are as follows;

i.           Regular rotation and shuffling of Pujaris

ii.          Installation of CCTV Cameras for surveillance

iii.         Removal of Thali system so that donations are made inthe Dan Patra boxes only

iv.         Appointment of Security Officer and Administrator

v.          Strict disciplinary action against corrupt anddishonest Pujaris/ Employees

2.    Relevant facts ignored in current narrative

Due to the Covid pandemic and crisis the country wentinto a national lockdown in March 2020 for almost three months (wherein Templesremain closed till August 2020). The Covid crisis and its effects had adevastating impact on all organisations and institutions across the country.Despite the national lockdown, economic and financial crisis and the closure ofTemples; the Trust continued to pay full salaries to all employees and pujarisduring the first three months of Covid pandemic. It also must be appreciated that no employees were terminated onaccount of the Pandemic during this entire period. However, none of thesemeasures that were implemented for the benefit and well-being of the employeeshave been appreciated till date

With the worsening of the ongoing crisis and continuedclosure of Temples it became impossible for the Trust to bear the continuingfinancial loss. The Trust Management from 1^st July, 2020implemented salary cuts whereby employees drawing consolidated wage of aboveRs.10,000 per month received 25% deduction in salary. In order to protect the financial weaker employees, the TrustManagement ensured that Employees receiving a consolidated wage of Rs.10,000 orbelow were exempted from this pay cut. However, even this measure was metwith criticism. Subsequently, inOctober, the Management decided to restore the full salaries of all employees, but,it was made clear that the Trust was in no position to pay DA or Bonus for thisfinancial year.

3.    Suspension of employees

Despite the restoration of full salaries during theongoing Covid crisis, the Employees Association led by several disgruntledpujaris, corrupt employees and mischievous elements (unhappy with theremoval of thali system and strong disciplinary/ anti-corruption measures) launcheda vicious public campaign to defame the Trust. This led to the the suspensionof five employees who were inciting and promoting anti-Trust activities amongemployees and pujaris. The credentialsand past records of many of these agitating employees are far from clean. Itis unfortunate that they have received support from some small vestedinterest-groups in Jammu. Such groups must be cautioned from attempting to gainany short-term political mileage from supporting such anti-social andanti-religious elements.

4.    Unreasonable demands of Employees Association

The ill-logical and unreasonable demand put forth bythe Employees Association is that, firstly,the suspension of the five employees must be revoked before any talks ornegotiations can begin with the Trust Management. However, no regret or apologyhas been expressed by these suspended employees for their anti-Trust activities. 

Secondly,their major demand is that the Dharmarth Trust should pay salaries to itsemployees at par with the salaries paid by the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB).This is an unrealistic proposition since the revenue and income of the SMVDSBruns into several hundred crores while the Dharmarth Trust budget is 7 crores. TheDharmarth Trust maintains over one hundred Temples across Jammu & Kashmirmost of which do not generate substantial revenue or donations.  Dharmarth Trust accounts are regularlymonitored and audited by a reputed firm of Chartered Accounts each year. Thesame is published for public knowlwdge.

5.    Other demands raised by Employees Association

A.   Re:Shrine Board or takeover of Dharmarth Trust by Government

The EmployeesAssociation has also demanded that a Shrine Board should be created or theDharmarth Trust should be absorbed by the Shrine Board/ State-Government. Thishas been a failed demand raised in the past, and once again raised by partieswith vested interests. Especially in the state of J&K any tampering withminority (Hindu) religious institutions could result in disastrous consequences.Furthermore, it is pertinent to note that Government/ State takeover or controlof religious institutions has increasingly come under legal scrutiny and hasbeen held to be unconstitutional by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which isreasserted by the recent landmark Padmanabhaswamy Temple case/ judgement.

B.    Re:the demand for Dearness Allowance & Bonus

Restoration ofDA & Bonus shall be considered for the next financial year if financially feasible.It may be pertinent to mention that even the govt has stopped paying DA andbonus to employees.

C.   Re:Allegations against mis-management of funds, lands and properties by TrustManagement