Temple Industry In India; Largest Business Sector

India is a vast country having 120 crores people residing in her 640000 villages, 5000 small cities and 400 big cities. Hindus are almost 80% of the population and 83 crores in numbers. Though Hindu scripture do not endorse statute worship but majority of them have by and large practiced it along with many rituals managed exclusively by Brahman Priests.

Though correct numbers of temples are not available, but as per one assessments there are almost 800000 temples spread all across India. These temples form hub of many ritualistic activities and sustain an Industry in itself. As per one assessment a Hindu generally spends 2% of his income as donations to temples and various rituals as an average over his entire life span. Almost Rs 60000 crores revenue per year is generated by the Temple Industry. In addition to these cash flows, large amount of unaccounted gold, fixed deposits and land are held by these temples.

As per one audit report of 4 richest temples in India, 20 lakhs kg gold is held by these temples which is 40 times more than the gold reserves of Govt of India. Annual income of richest temples of India is 2260 crores per year. If the assets of these four temples are used for development works than each village can be connected with road and each Indian can be given a house.

If four temples can hold so much of wealth, than properties, cash deposits and gold held by 800000 temple in India is unimaginable and could be up to 60000000 Crores. No wonder India has always been such an attractive target for invaders.

If the assets are taken into consider than Temple Industry is the largest business sector in India. This sector pays no taxes to the govt and sustains a parallel economy of black money.

As per one assessments, the entire Temple Industry is managed by 10000000 Brahmans Priests which is roughly 20% of the total population of 50000000 Crores Brahmans in India. No wonder only 13% of Brahmans are poor against national average of 21%.

Temple Industry in India doesn't undertake significant charity works and against teachings of tenants of Hinduism, thrives on spreading fear and ignorance among population.  The unaccounted money in hands of Brahmans Priests also sustains political activities in the country supporting lobbies to maintain control over national political power.

2000 years old Manu Smriti imposed reservation system is still deeply embedded in society and gives maximum advantage to Brahman Priests with no gainful returns to society. The very stable revenues stream in hands of these Brahman Priests also supports their rise in politics, education, business and R&D thus making them one of the most influential and dominating castes of India. Though Brahmans form less then 5% of the total population but they have comparatively maximum share in Govt and Private Sector Jobs and business.

In modern India when caste conflicts are on rise, such untapped revenue streams which do not contribute in nation building needs to be taken in account and shall be used for growth of society at large.

Dismantle Manu Smiriti Based Socio Economic Order of Reservation

Competition for resources is a natural human course. Since ancient times, these competitions have been triggering wars. Modern times are no exceptions.  In present Indian scenario, early indicators for these desperate competitions triggering caste wars are so visible. More and more castes are demanding job reservations for their right economic stakes. India somehow has failed to dismantle the caste system based socio-economic order created in ancient times and coded so rigidly in Manu Smriti.

  

Historically, Manu Smriti in ancient time was written to put an order of reservation for management of resources and is deeply embedded in socio-eco structure. It was based on four varna system, where in the most easiest source of money with best perks were reserved for Brahmans. Manu Smriti also ensured best safety for Brahmans as it dictated that killing a Brahman is a sin. Temple industry today is one of the largest business activity controlled by Brahmans. It sustains black money and doesn't pay any tax. It is multi billion dollar industry in hands of only Brahmans. Demand for Ram Temple is more related to expanding this business empire then actually strengthening religion. Tool of Hindutwa is more used by Brahman controlled political lobbies to maintain their grip on the political power than bringing any real values to people. 

India is country of strange economic dispositions and disparities. Business communities who are less then 10% of total population control 90% cash flows of the country. Does it mean that people of other caste are not capable enough to do business? That is not that case, but yes Manusmriti created social economic order plays a key role in deciding their preference for profession and creates barriers like guilds of business communities protect their invisible territories and not allowing other castes to enter or do business on same beneficial or profitable terms. Banks give more preference to people of business communities and Brahmans for extending financial support compare to Martial Castes or Dalits.

Martial Castes who are traditionally farmers, had fixed political stakes during British period and were most influential. With abolition of princely states, Zamindaris and shrinking of land holding Martial Castes which once had dominating political influence, have been economically marginalized in independent India and are at the verge of breaking point. Soldiers and Farmers are on street demanding better salaries, better prices of their products and job reservations.  

Dalits who were once at receiving end as slaves in ancient India continue to face inhuman conditions and treatment. At time of independence, they were given political reservation in addition to job reservation. But the system in place treats them more like a vote bank than really bringing any change in their social economic conditions. 

Strangely over a period of time, laws in India have evolved with caste preferences, like Brahmans who are considered holy are not required to pay any tax on donations in temple or on their income from rituals. Similarly laws favor business over agriculture.  

Manu Smriti created caste based socio-eco order of reservation, is still playing key roles in distribution of economic resources in the country. Unequal distribution of wealth is creating discontentment. Only job reservation and that too in govt, will not solve the problem there is need to dismantle Manu Smriti created caste based order of reservation which has created invisible territories and fixed channels of circulation of wealth. Though no caste based figure are available in India about the banking loans, but a glance over the lists of defaulters who have created billion of dollars of NPA assets suggest caste based biases. It appears govt has been fooling people by job reservation whereas real money circulation is taking place somewhere else.

A comprehensive plan therefore needs to be undertaken over next 30-40 years to break this exclusiveness to create integrated  inclusiveness. More than job reservations, India needs skill development supported by  banking to ensure fair circulation of money through people of all strata of society including those living in rural areas. There is need to create support system by infusing cash flows through remote and backward economic channels to create value. Economic empowerment is more important than job reservation to create an inclusive growth. But key question is, will economic empowerment happen without political empowerment? As political governance in India has remained largely in the hands of high caste lobby, there is a huge trust deficient among masses which is adding into more frustration and social tensions.