Himachal High Court Bans Use of Temple Funds for Government Welfare Schemes
In a significant ruling reinforcing the separation of religion and state finances, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has prohibited the state government from utilising temple donations for public welfare or non-religious schemes. The decision, delivered by a Division Bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla , marks an important precedent for protecting religious endowments and ensuring accountability in temple administration. The Case: Petition for Transparency and Religious Autonomy The order came while disposing of a petition filed by Kashmir Chand Shadyal , who sought strict compliance with the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984 . The petitioner raised concerns that donations made by devotees to temples were being diverted toward general government welfare schemes — a move that, he argued, violated both the intent of the Act and constitutional principles protecting religious freedom. The court agreed, ru...