Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday, 2 July 2025, presided over a mass wedding ceremony at the Kapaleeswarar Karpagambal Wedding Hall in Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai, where he listed what he described as the Dravidian Model government’s major achievements through the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. However, several of these claims have since drawn sharp rebuttals from activists and legal experts, who accuse the department of bypassing due process, flouting judicial directions, and engaging in unconstitutional practices.
The event, conducted under the aegis of the HR&CE Department, saw 32 couples wed under a government-sponsored scheme. Speaking at the event, Stalin praised the department’s efforts and credited Minister P.K. Sekar Babu for spearheading various spiritual and welfare initiatives. He claimed the government had transformed temple administration, spiritual infrastructure, and religious inclusivity under the Dravidian model.
However, these statements have been challenged point-by-point by critics who argue that the Chief Minister’s speech glosses over serious procedural violations, legal issues, and opacity in administration.
Claim 1: 2,376 Temple-Sponsored Free Marriages Conducted
CM’s Statement: The government has conducted 2,376 free weddings through temple funds, with the CM himself officiating over 150 of them.
Rebuttal: Critics point out that such events are financed by temple surplus funds, which are legally bound by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Act, 1959, particularly Section 36-A and the Utilization of Surplus Funds Rules. Allegedly, these procedures were not followed in organizing the mass weddings. The use of temple funds without adhering to mandatory procedures is said to amount to financial impropriety.
Claim 2: 3,177 Temple Consecrations Conducted
CM’s Statement: No government has consecrated as many temples; this is a record.
Rebuttal: Opponents argue that temple consecration (kumbhabhishekam) is a purely religious function in which a secular state should not interfere. The HR&CE Act, 1959 offers no provision empowering government officials to direct or participate in temple rituals. The involvement of officials in such ceremonies may therefore be unconstitutional and in violation of Supreme Court rulings. Moreover, many of these consecrations were reportedly funded by private devotees. Critics demand publication of detailed financial records and approvals for each consecration carried out.
Claim 3: 7,655.75 Acres of Temple Land Recovered Worth ₹7,701 Crore
CM’s Statement: Lands belonging to 997 temples have been reclaimed from encroachment, with an estimated value of ₹7,701 crore.
Rebuttal: Activists question the valuation, noting that the government’s figure implies each acre is worth ₹1 crore. They also highlight a lack of transparency regarding rent arrears, land use, and pending litigation. It is estimated that more than 1.5 lakh acres of temple lands across Tamil Nadu are still under encroachment or unauthorized occupation. The HR&CE Department has allegedly not published lists detailing current encroachments, lessee details, rent dues, survey numbers, or temple-wise land ownership, despite court directives mandating such transparency.
Claim 4: 2,03,444 Acres of Temple Land Measured and ‘Protected’
CM’s Statement: Over 2 lakh acres of temple land have been measured and protected.
Rebuttal: The department’s own policy note (2022–23) shows that only 3.43 lakh acres out of a total 5.25 lakh have been properly matched with revenue records. Critics ask why these lands are marked with “HR&CE” signage, as they legally belong to the temples, not the department. There is also no public information about who currently occupies the “protected” lands and whether legal leases exist. Concerns remain that many of these lands may be under unofficial occupation despite being categorized as protected.
Claim 5: 26,000 Temples Undergoing Civil Works Worth ₹6,000 Crore
CM’s Statement: Renovation works are being carried out at 26,000 temples at an estimated cost of ₹6,000 crore.
Rebuttal: Questions have been raised about the number of these temples that qualify as ancient (over 100 years old), and whether mandatory inspections by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have been conducted, as ordered by the Madras High Court in 2021. Furthermore, critics ask why the government is proceeding without finalizing the “Scientific Conservation Manual” that was supposed to be ready by September 2021. They also question what portion of the ₹6,000 crore is donor-funded and call for greater financial accountability.
Claim 6: Expert Committee Cleared 12,876 Civil Works
CM’s Statement: A State Level Expert Committee has approved renovation work in 12,876 temples.
Rebuttal: Legal experts argue that under the Tamil Nadu State Heritage Commission Act, 2012, such approvals must come from the Heritage Commission, not the State Level Expert Committee. Therefore, the functioning of this committee in sanctioning civil works in heritage temples may be legally invalid and in direct violation of state law.
Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu's top 6 claims regarding "achievements" carried out by @tnhrcedept and my response to each of them
Claim 1. 2376 free marriages have been conducted by his Dravidian Model Government through temples of which he has officiated 150 weddings… pic.twitter.com/iFZPrRmuzm
— trramesh (@trramesh) July 3, 2025
(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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