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GBC Resolutions 2026: Strengthening ISKCON Governance and Srila Prabhupada’s Vision
The 2026 Annual General Meeting formally recognized the paper affirming the GBC as ISKCON’s ultimate managing authority, aligning contemporary governance with Srila Prabhupada’s original instructions. This decision consolidates decades of guidance into a clear framework that supports accountability, subsidiarity, and doctrinal fidelity across ISKCON’s global footprint. It emphasizes practical mechanisms—audits, ethical safeguards, grievance redress, and…
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Mumbai land row: Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad seeks transparent action on alleged Church encroachment
Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad has sought administrative action over an alleged illegal occupation of government land by the Church of St Andrew and St Columba in Mumbai. This analysis explains why a neutral, evidence-based approach—grounded in land records, joint surveys, and fair hearings—is essential to uphold rule of law and public trust. It outlines the legal…
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Organized Religion Reconsidered: Safeguarding Dharma Without Losing the Sacred Pulse
This essay examines the enduring paradox of organized religion in the dharmic traditions: the need to institutionalize sacred insight without extinguishing its contemplative core. Drawing on historical patterns from the Buddhist sangha, Hindu mathas and ashramas, Jain fourfold communities, and Sikh gurdwaras, it shows how organization can preserve wisdom, expand seva, and protect sacred spaces.…
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Unmasking Blame-Shifting: POCSO, Clergy Accountability, and Child Safeguarding in India
This analysis examines how some offenders externalize blame to supernatural forces, a known rationalisation that can obstruct justice. It uses a reported case from Andhra Pradesh, registered under POCSO, to explain the legal, medical, and ethical contours of child protection in India. Readers gain a clear overview of key POCSO provisions, including mandatory reporting, child-friendly…
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Trimbakeshwar ‘Quick Darshan’ Scam: Trustee, NCP Leader Arrested as Calls for Temple Reforms Grow
An alleged “quick darshan” black-marketing racket at Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik has led to the arrest of a trustee associated with the NCP and several others, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities in pilgrimage management. The case underscores the need for cashless, auditable e-darshan systems, clearly defined and monitored priority access, and separation-of-duties to prevent collusion. It recommends…
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After Nerul Meet, 25 Navi Mumbai Temples Adopt Dress Code to Preserve Sanctity and Inclusion
Trustees representing 25 Navi Mumbai temples resolved in a Nerul meeting under the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh to introduce a dress code aimed at preserving sanctity while enhancing devotee comfort and dignity. The move aligns with dharmic norms across Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Sikh spaces, where modest attire signals reverence and inner readiness for darshan. Constitutionally,…
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Varanasi Temple Tax Row: Saints Decry Notices, Urge VMC Dialogue to Protect Heritage
Municipal tax notices to several temples in Varanasi have triggered an intense debate about how to balance urban governance with the protection of living cultural heritage. This analysis outlines why clear, publicly accessible criteria for classifying religious properties are essential and how ambiguity can fuel mistrust. It highlights the services temples provide—from anna-daan to lodging…
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How the Colonial British Systematically Destroyed Hindu Charitable Institutions: The Untold Story
