Kadeswara Subramaniam, the state president of the Hindu Munnani, has publicly criticized the Tamil Nadu government, accusing it of systematically misusing temple lands. He raised concerns about a fish market being built on land belonging to Ayanavaram Agatheeswarar temple in Chennai, questioning if it violates court rulings that temple lands should be used strictly for religious purposes.
Tamil Nadu Ministers have recently visited the site of the Kolathur fish market, which is located on a 4-acre plot belonging to the Ayanavaram Agatheeswarar temple in Chennai. Despite a legal challenge from devotees arguing against using temple land for government projects, the court dismissed the case, focusing only on commercial interests, Subramaniam said in a press release.
Subramaniam questioned whether this move contradicts the Madras High Court’s previous rulings that mandate temple lands be used solely for religious purposes and devotees’ needs. He also asked whether establishing a fish market aligns with spiritual objectives or benefits the temple.
He accused the atheistic DMK government of systematically planning and executing measures to seize temple property. For instance, when the Kallakurichi Collector’s office acquired temple land, the court required it to pay market rent and an advance due to protests from devotees. However, he argues that the government has been aggressively taking over temple lands for various uses, such as bus stands and courts, instead of respecting their spiritual significance.
Appropriating Vaishnava Saint Thirukachi Nambi’s lands
Subramaniam cited specific examples, like the Poonamallee bus stand, which he claims is on land originally belonging to Thirukachi Nambi, a Vaishnava saint, but now bears the name Arignar Anna Bus Station. He questioned why the bus stand is named after Anna instead of saint Thirukachi Nambi and what rent the Poonamallee municipality has paid for that property.
Additionally, he criticized the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) for renting out and subsequently destroying Tirukkachi Nambi’s house to a fertilizer godown. He also mentioned a case where a Muslim individual in Kolathur was given temple land for a gas station but later sued for unpaid rent.
Subramaniam expressed concern that the current government is treating temple lands with negligence, acquiring them for road expansions and metro projects without offering suitable compensation or alternatives. He called for the HR&CE to adhere to the Madras High Court’s directives and ensure temple properties are maintained properly and used solely for their intended spiritual purposes. He also urged the department to publicly list those occupying temple properties without paying rent at each temple entrance to promote transparency.
Contents of the Press Statement
In the letter he stated, “Tamil Nadu Ministers have visited the construction of Kolathur fish market on a 4 acre land belonging to the Ayanavaram Agatheeswarar temple in Chennai. Devotees have filed a case against taking the temple property for government projects but the court has dismissed the case considering only the commercial purpose. The people’s have a question, ‘What kind of mentality is this?”
“Isn’t this against the Madras High Court’s earlier ruling that temple sites should be used for temple use and for the needs of devotees? Is setting up a fish market a spiritual mission? Will this benefit the temple?,” He questioned
“Since assuming power, the atheist DMK government has been planning and implementing various ways to expropriate the temple property. When the Kallakurichi Collector’s office acquired the temple land, the court ordered it to pay the market rent and the corresponding advance due to the devotees’ protest,” He declared.
“Similarly, the government has in various ways expropriated the temple lands and (utilized for) bus stand, court, collector’s office. For example, the Poonamallee bus stand is the property of Thirukachi Nambis, a Vaishnava saint. But the name of that bus station is Arignar Anna Bus Stand. Why did the government named it Anna?
What is the rent paid by Poonamallee municipality till date for that place? the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has rented out Tirukkachi Nambi’s birth house to fertilizer god-down and the HR&CE exerting its power only in the destruction of the historic spiritual site”.
“A Muslim man in Kolathur, Chennai was given a temple land as rental for a gas station, a few years later, it sued for non-payment of rent. Like this, anyone can enjoy the lands worth hundreds of crores but HR&CE minister Shekhar Babu proudly says that it has been rescued from occupation. How many temples have this government demolished saying it is on the government land? Lands belonging to temples are being acquired stating that road expansion and metro projects. But it doesn’t insist on acquiring the right alternative place and manages it carelessly without taking any compensation. There are hundreds of similar examples. Devotees should understand the true face of DMK rule.” He said.
“Is the temple lands are for a fish market? DMK is working with commercial motive against the purpose for which the devotees have donated 4 acres of land in spiritual charity. Even if the fish market is set up, the people who are going to benefit from there will belong to the ruling party. If this regime goes, the next who comes to power will give it to the people they want and make its benefits in their favor. Therefore temple property should be used only for the convenience of devotees for proper maintenance of temple property and for spiritual work.” he added
“The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department was not established to hand over temple properties to the government. Therefore, the Hindu Munnani insists that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department should follow the instructions given by the Madras High Court bench to maintain the temple properties. Also, on behalf of the Hindu Munnani, we request the the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to display the list of those occupying the temple properties without paying rent displayed at the entrance of each temple.” He finally said.
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