The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago has been a spiritual sanctuary for many of us living in the Lemont, Illinois, area. However, recent actions taken by the Temple have cast a shadow over its role in our community. The temple has decided to pursue a lawsuit against its former president, Bhanoo Sharma. I and other community members find this troubling and unsettling.

The lawsuit is not only disruptive, but it is also a flagrant misuse of the temple's funds, which were willingly given by our community for the betterment of the temple and its members, not for legal battles. An estimated tens of thousands of dollars have already been wasted on this feud, and it is likely that even more will be wasted if the lawsuit proceeds.

These funds could have been spent on enhancing the community services that the temple provides, such as charitable outreach, educational workshops, and facility improvements, among others. The decision to use this money to continue a personal grudge against a former president is a violation of the trust that we, as Temple members, have placed on the current leadership.

This is not only personal to me, but also to many other temple attendees who feel their contributions are being misused. We are calling on the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago to drop its lawsuit against Bhanoo Sharma. It's time we refocused on fostering harmony, spiritual growth, and community service, values the temple has long stood for. 

·      At the heart of it, this case has no merit. It is nonsensical.  How can money spent on temple projects be returned? How can projects be undone? Is it possible to go back to the narrow driveway or can we go back to the mold infested carpet in the Ramalaya Hall? Both these projects enhance devotee experience

·      Dr. Sharma did not spend a single penny to benefit himself.  The money was spent on projects that were long overdue at the Temple, for the benefit of the Temple and its devote

·      Dr. Sharma was fulfilling his duty as the President of the Temple keeping the devotee in mind.

·      Our holy Temple pursuing lawsuits sets a bad precedent if allowed to continue. In the future, devotees are less likely to come forward to hold leadership positions at the temple if there is a fear that they may be punished for carrying out their job responsibilities.

·      The Executive Committee of 2024 and their cronies have started a “Legal Fund” to create the impression that the temple money is not being spent, but it is private money. If that is really the case, why should it be funneled through the temple. This is also a tax violation by the temple letting people claim tax write-offs for helping their buddies fight in courts to clear their vendetta and vengeance. As a public institution, HTGC is acting unethically by letting people count the contributions to this “Legal Fund” towards temple membership for themselves/ their families.

·      By prolonging these court battles the valuable time of the Board of Trustees and the active volunteer of the temple is consumed in these petty fights instead of being used in pressing Maintenance and other projects at the temple.

·      This continues to mire the temple in unwanted negative publicity.

·      The temple management needs to use their time, resources, and energy to raise funds that benefit our holy institution and help it progress and continue to be respected as one of the premier religious institutions in the USA.

Join us in asking the temple to stop this frivolous spending and focus back on community service and spiritual development. Sign the petition today.

Help Support Bhanoo Sharma by contributing to his Legal Expenses  through his gofundme.  https://gofund.me/8d7c3dbd