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Devotees and public of the area have demanded security for the temple site in Tirupur amid complaints that the unoccupied temple land is being used by anti-social elements as a “bar”.
Karupparayan Temple is an ancient temple located in the Notchipalayam area of the Karaiputhur panchayat near Palladam in Tirupur district. The temple is owned by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department and owns 8.99 acres of land. Farmers have been cultivating this land on lease basis. However, barbed wire fences were erected last year and a notice was sent by the department saying that the 5 acres of land owned by the temple had been handed over to the police department to build the Tirupur Commissioner’s office.
Locals lament that the temple land, which is currently without any security, is being used by anti-social elements for drinking, gambling and other anti-social activities.
Devotees and temple activists have condemned the use of temple lands for other purposes. The Madras High Court has time and again said that temple lands should not be used for activities other than temple related activities and that revenue arising out of the temple must be used for only for the benefit of the temple. Despite the ruling, the HR&CE department continues to plunder temple lands.
In this light, locals have warned that protests will be staged on behalf of the public if the authorities do not protect the temple land.
(With inputs from Kathir News & Maalai Malar)
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