For God?s sake, they know no English
UK Govt and temple authorities are at loggerheads over entry of Hindu priests into the country, reports Vijay Dutt.
The tussle between the British government and temple administrators over the entry of Hindu priests into the country has intensified. While the new immigration policy requires priests to know English, temple trustees say priests who have to perform daily rituals at temples need not be versed in English and it is difficult to get many English-speaking pujaris.
The problem can be perceived at the half-completed Shri Venkateswara Balaji Temple in Tividale in Midlands. Costing almost £7.5 million, its trustees include SP and GP Hinduja and Joginder Sanger, the noted hotelier. The trustees worry they may have a problem finding enough traditionally trained Indian priests who can also speak good English.
Many organisations — like the Hindu Forum of Britain and temple associations — have now petitioned the government to change immigration rules. "We are in trouble because finding a person who is properly trained in these traditions and who can speak English is difficult," temple manager Dr Praveen Kumar told the BBC. "I don't think it's possible. Hope is what makes you get on, so we hope the Home Office will see that this is the thing which keeps Hindus peace-loving and cool."
Others like Anil Bhanot of the Hindu Council told HT that the government framed a general rule for priests to know English due to radical Imams who have allegedly been inciting the young. It has been pointed out that pujaris have no role to play in teaching or sermonising, they are expected to only perform rituals at temples.
It was David Blunkett, former home secretary, who had introduced the English language rule to ensure priests "can speak to and for their congregations".