Temple expansion project: what after split vote?

CHICAGO: Hindu Temple of Greater (HTGC) Chicago in Lemont held a semi annual general body meeting last week to resolve the burning issue of relocation of Paravati temple or expansion of the Ganesh-Shiva-Durga (GSD) complex at the temple premise.

The general body was split in that life members were not inclined to reconsider the resolution passed last year that sanctioned GSD reconstruction. The Patron members however, voted against the relocation saying that it was sacrilegious and against the Shastras.

Dr L Bhima Reddy, president, said that this was in line with the religious belief that wanted Shiva Ganpati and Paravati in certain position at the temple. The other group of eight trustees - Dr Asuthosh Gupta, Dr Vemury Subrahmanyam, Krishniah Revluri, Pramila Reddy, Subramanian Veerabahu, Latha Bakne, Dr Sudha Rao and Sukanya Reddy- however, had felt otherwise and they wanted relocation or GSD expansion to continue. The controversy proliferated into a long drawn legal battle with a group of executive members seeking to halt the relocation and expansion while the other group sticking to the original plan of relocation approved by General Body in 2008.

The Court had asked the parties to resolve amicably the dispute last month, but apparently there was no resolution. Jonathan T. Linnemeyer, an attorney for the group of eight trustees, said that the court has not dismissed the law suit filed against the HTGC President L. Bhima Reddy and Secretary Dr Bansi Sharma for alleged violation of bylaws, the Temple Constitution and the Illinois Not for Profit Corporation Act. The lawsuit alleged that the President and Secretary acted inconsistent with the direction of the Temple Board of Trustees by halting the GSD (Ganesh Shiva Durga) Expansion Project as approved by the temple members and board of trustees in 2008.

HTGC had semi annual General Body meeting on June 29 at the Temple premises, and according to Dr Vemury Subrahmanyam, a Trustee and a former president, the meeting did not seek to put any restriction on the GSD Expansion project.  This, according to him, means that the previous resolution pertaining to GSD Expansion passed by General Body last year stays. Dr Bhima Reddy, President, said there was split vote in that the Patron members wanted to halt the relocation. The question asked is what next after the sharp division among members?