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Our cherished Acharya Kailash Sharma, the heart and soul of our religious community, faces unjust termination under President Vinod Sudhakar's leadership. Acharya Kailash Sharma, who has devoted 27 years of his life to our temple, now faces this unjust treatment. Throughout his tenure, he has served with distinction, earning promotions to senior positions through the commendation of past presidents and committee members. In September 2008, he was elevated to the Senior Priest position, appointed by Raj Bodalia (President) and Bobba Choudhary (Pooja Committee Chairperson). Later, in 2011, he was appointed as the Head (Chief) Priest under the authority of Mr. Krutarth Jain, who signed the appointment document. It is baffling and concerning that his position as Chief Priest has been abruptly revoked without notice.

The essence of our temple and the values it stands for are under threat. President Sudhakar's authoritarian approach disregards the principles of democracy and community involvement. His actions not only disrespect our established customs but also create divisions within our community. Sudhakar's arrogance and disrespect towards members, including his use of derogatory language such as "Bukwas” or “BullSh*t" demonstrate a lack of humility and compassion befitting a leader. His attempts to centralize power by electing Executive Committee members from the South, excluding voices from the North, undermine the inclusive spirit of our organization. Moreover, Sudhakar's disrespectful behavior extends to his treatment of women in EC meetings, where he uses the same kind of language, creating an environment of discomfort and disrespect.

Furthermore, the absence of general body meetings, which are supposed to be held quarterly according to our constitution, raises questions about transparency and accountability within the Executive Committee. It is alarming that no meetings have been scheduled or held from January to May 2024, depriving members of the opportunity to engage in discussions and voice their concerns. However, a general body meeting is currently scheduled for Sunday, June 9th, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 12:55 pm EDT. We urge every member who signs this petition to attend this meeting and actively participate, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns addressed. It is alarming that crucial decisions are being made behind closed doors, without the knowledge or consent of the temple members. Additionally, the failure of the Secretary, Saravanan Sakthivel, to uphold the constitution of HSGC is deeply concerning. Article VI, Section 8.0 explicitly states that the Secretary shall be responsible for publishing the minutes of meetings in the subsequent HSGC newsletter (Aradhana). The lack of adherence to this provision deprives members of essential information and transparency regarding the temple's affairs.

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Acharya Kailash Sharma's impending removal demands immediate action to defend his honor and preserve the values of our temple. President Sudhakar's actions threaten the fabric of our community, and it is our responsibility as members of the HSGC to stand up for justice and fairness. We must unite to halt our financial support to the temple immediately and protect Acharya Kailash Sharma's dignity and challenging the unjust actions of the current Executive Committee. We urge all members, regardless of their background, to withhold financial contributions until President Sudhakar is removed and Acharya Kailash Sharma's rightful place as Chief priest is restored. Additionally, your signature on this petition signifies your support for initiating a petition for a vote of no confidence against President Sudhakar, as stated in Article X section 3.1 of the HSGC constitution and by-laws. It is imperative that we utilize the mechanisms provided within our organization's governing documents to hold our leadership accountable and ensure the fair and just treatment of all members.

Membership Eligibility:

Please note that signatures on this petition are intended for members of the Hindu Society of Greater Cincinnati (HSGC) Temple. To ascertain your membership status, refer to the following guidelines:

If you have paid annual dues or are enrolled in any of the membership categories outlined in Article VII of the HSGC constitution and by-laws, you are a member.
If you have made donations towards membership dues, excluding those designated for specific temple services, you are considered a member.

How to Become a Member:

To become a member of the HSGC Temple, please refer to Article VII of the HSGC constitution and by-laws for membership categories and dues. You can apply for membership by completing the necessary forms and submitting them along with the applicable dues.

MEMBERSHIP

Dues for the various categories of membership shall be as follows:

• Annual Family Membership: $51/year payable in one lump sum
• Annual Individual Membership: $21/year payable in one lump sum
• Life Family Membership: $501, no annual dues
• Life Individual Membership: $251, no annual dues
• Patron Family Membership: $5000, no annual dues
• Honorary Individual Membership: $0, no annual dues
• Full-time Student Individual Membership: $0, no annual dues

All donations, including those made for special purposes but excluding those made for various services provided by the temple such as Pundit Ji's services, classes, books, etc., shall be counted towards the membership dues.

All memberships are for the life of the member except for the annual and full-time student membership, which must be renewed every year by March 31st for the membership rights and privileges to continue uninterrupted. If renewed after March 31st, the membership rights and privileges will be restored one month after the renewal date.