The Maharashtra government defended the Pandharpur Temples Act in the Bombay High Court, stating that it aims to safeguard the interests of the Vitthal and Rukmini temples and relieve devotees from the rapacity of the priestly classes. The Act was enacted in response to complaints of mismanagement by the priestly classes. In an affidavit filed in reply to a petition by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and Jagdish Shetty, the state denied that the Act violates the fundamental rights of devotees. The petition challenged the state’s move to permanently take over the property and administration of a temple. The Act, enacted in 1973, abolished all hereditary rights and privileges of ministrants and priestly classes for the governance and administration of the Vitthal and Rukmini temples. The state argued that the Act does not impair or curtail the rights of devotees or pilgrims to practice their religion, but was introduced in the interest of the general public. However, Subramanian Swamy argued that the provisions of the Act flouted the fundamental rights of the petitioners, devotees of Lord Vitthal and Goddess Rukmini, as well as Hindus at large. The state highlighted that Pandharpur is a revered town and the temples there hold national importance. In the 1960s, allegations of mismanagement led to the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry, which recommended the abolition of hereditary rights and privileges of ministrants and priestly classes. The Act was challenged by the priestly classes and various courts, including the Supreme Court, upheld its provisions. The Bombay High Court will hear the matter again on September 13.