Taxing The Religion

The Maharashtra government retracted its controversial decision to charge some money for the express darshan of the deity at Pandharpur. The reason for this retraction was the heavy opposition from various quarters, especially from the warkaris. Vitthal, the reigning deity of the Pandharpur not the kind of god prevalent in India. He is supposed to be the most favourite, not venerated, god of common people of Maharashtra, Karnataka and large part of Andhra. Even though the bhakti tradition, which has built a long tradition of love between god and devotees, is firmly trenched in the Indian minds, Vitthal has quite another place. Originally Krishna, he is god, friend, father, mother and even servant of his devotees.

People from all over the Maharashtra throng to holy city of Pandharpur twice in the year. About 0.5 million warkaris on an average converge to Pandharpur in a year while the converge is less once in each month. These people walk on barefoot for a month, some travelling almost 1000 kms. This is considered a miracle from the point of view of management. About a month ago, almost 0.25 million warkaris gathered in the small town. On the background of these large figures, came the decision by Maharashtra government to charge Rs 200 (US$4) each for quick darshan. This amount was to be charged from those who wanted a glimpse of their Lord within minutes. The system is place in religious places like Thirupathi and Shirdi. But considering the nature of Pandharpur, this was unlikely to be taken easily. Obviously, the voices of protest rose quickly forcing the government to go on back foot. Still, the people are wary that it might come again any time.

This is partly because government machinery has come to realise lately that all the religious places all over India are brimming with the crowds. People are heading to religious places like never before. Increased income, better facilities of transport and communication media reflecting the popular sensibilities, has tremendously boosted the what has come to be called 'religious tourism'. With government more and more looking for more avenues for income, tit can not find a better thing to do. The trend has taken its toll on some of the historically important entities, but presently none seems to capable to hold it.

The economics of the religious places and shrines can be outlined in few numbers. The shrine of Sai Baba at Shirdi got an immense boost after a movie on the 19^th century saint came through Bollywood. Last year, the revenue of Sai Sansthan (trust managing the shrine ) at Shirdi was pegged at Rs 230 Crores (US$ 500 million) while the expenditure is Rs 150 Crores ($ 300 million). In Andhra Pradesh, the revenue of Thirupathi Balaji temple is supposed to be Rs 250 Crores (US$ 500 million). The revenue of the Maharashtra for year 2010-11 is expected to be Rs 5,97,542 Crores (approximately US$ 120 million). The thing has come to such a pass that the Trust is lending money from its coffers for various works done by government like road building.

Shirdi is not alone. There are many places in Maharashtra which have revenues running into millions. Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai has an annual revenue of Rs 50 crores ($ 10 million) while the Ganpati at Lalbaug nets Rs 15 crores ($ 3 million). With manjor industries reeling under either recession or discounts, the only way government can earn the money is taxing the religious sentiments. With most of the appointments at the temples done under political considerations, a part of the booty is sure to fall into these leader's lap.