In yet another attack on Hindu temples by the DMK government, the Minister for Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has formed a committee to build 10 colleges using Hindu temple funds.
The committee members include DMK MP Kanimozhi, an avowed atheist and Geetha Jeevan, Minister for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment, who is a Christian.
Rubbing more salt in the wound, the committee formed by the DMK government has no Hindu trustees of the temple.
This is the first time that such a committee has been formed by the Tamil Nadu government. The committee held its first meeting at the HR&CE Commissioner office in Nungambakkam, Chennai. The meeting was attended by Food and Civil Supplies Minister R. Sakkarapani and DMK MLAs namely M.K. Mohan, Markandeyan, A.P. Nandakumar, B.S.T Saravanan, Durai Chandrasekar, A. Soundarapandian, and E.R. Eswaran.
It has been decided that 10 Arts & Science College would be built in Kolathur (MK Stalin’s constituency) and Kilpauk in Chennai, Vilathikulam in Thoothukudi (DMK MP Kanimozhi’s constituency), Thoppampatti in Dindigul, Anaikattu in Vellore, Kalasapakkam in Tiruvannamalai, Tirukaatupalli in Thanjavur, Lalgudi in Trichy, Kadayam in Tenkasi, and Tiruchengode in Namakkal. One Siddha hospital in Pazhani has also been declared.
In the meeting it was decided that a committee comprising of MLAs, MPs and academics in the respective region will be formed to expedite the process and start the colleges by next year.
The meeting was attended by Dr. P. Chandramoha, Principal Secretary of Department of Tourism, Culture and Museum; J. Kumaragurparan HR&CE Commissioner, Additional Commissioner (Administration) of HR&CE Ra. Kannan and other ‘academics’.
Hindus have condemned the DMK government’s move saying that it is a violation of the principle of secularism. They also questioned the appointment of atheist Kanimozhi and a Christian Minister meddling in the affairs of Hindu Temple.
DMK Minister @PKSekarbabu forms Committee in HR&CE Dept to start 10 Colleges using Hindu Temple lands and funds with "Committee Members" atheist @KanimozhiDMK & Xtian @geethajeevandmk and host of DMK MLAs. NO Hindu Trustees #Shame https://t.co/64F0q62K8X https://t.co/tfEeufDl3u
— trramesh (@trramesh) September 20, 2021
Secular country Sir. We all will understand more meanings of secularism in coming days https://t.co/j3g0z6rMR3
— Venkat (@Venkattss) September 21, 2021
Dangerous. Another instance of DMK misusing temple funds. https://t.co/wdJzmRqwNJ
— Prof.P.Kanagasabapathi (@pkspathi) September 20, 2021
Absolute abuse of power by HRCE dept who have no locus stand to do this. The question of purpose is irrelevant. Further temple is not a govt property for secular govt to ask MLA, MPs to be part of a committee to use Temple property. Whr is right TRUSTEE? @OurTemples @jsaideepak https://t.co/lJVolfE2j2
— #JaiHind வாழ்க பாரதம் 🇮🇳 (@commandur) September 21, 2021
DMK government in TN is plundering temple funds and indulging in anti hindu activities. Temple properties are being grabbed, funds being swindled & Brahmins are tortured. It's Hindu genocide in TN. We have to raise it as a grave concern & violation of constitutional rights.
— Vijai R Swaminathan (@VijaiSR) September 20, 2021
(With inputs from Daily Thanthi)
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