“This should be stopped now in the best interest of the future generation. The temple premises should become centres of imbibing good culture and should organise more of cultural programmes,” Parsekar added. Opposition Leader Pratapsing Rane said the Devasthan Act prevailing in Goa was made by Portuguese during its rule and there is a need to change it. “Women should be given a place in it, as the prevailing law has no provision for women,” he said.
Former union minister Subramanyam Swami, keynote speaker, said Hindu temples should not be only places of pooja or prayer, but also become centers like they were in the past providing education, ayurveda, religious literature, defence education, etc. Sanskrit language should be promoted by the temples.
PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, Tapoboomi Pithadish Brahmeshanand Swami Brahmeshanand, Swami Permatmanandji, Daramdev Maharaj, Dr Rajesh Parmar, Swami Shivanand Saraswati, Dr Rajiv Malhotra, Kapu Swami, Brahmi Devi and Digambar Kalapurkar were present on the occasion.
