The Hindu Munnani has strongly criticized the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, accusing it of failing to provide even basic amenities for the large number of devotees visiting the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur. In a sharply worded statement, the organization called out the department’s negligence, describing the situation as a violation of basic human rights.
திருச்செந்தூரில் சித்திரவதைக்கு உள்ளாகும் பக்தர்கள்..!!
அப்பட்டமான மனித உரிமை மீறல்!!காலை 6 மணிக்கு வரிசையில் நின்றவர்கள், தற்போது மாலை 3 மணி வரை வரிசையில் நிற்பதாக பக்தர்கள் குமுறல்!!
குடிநீர் வசதி, கழிப்பறை வசதி எதுவுமின்றி கொடுமைப்படுத்தப்படுவதாக பக்தர்கள் வேதனை!!… pic.twitter.com/PY9HzS1IHJ
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) July 18, 2025
Devotees who began queuing as early as 6 AM have reportedly remained in line until well into the afternoon, with little to no access to drinking water or sanitation facilities. The resulting hardships especially for elderly visitors and young children have caused widespread distress, leading to complaints of exhaustion, dehydration, and even fainting.
The HR&CE department, which is responsible for the management of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu, has come under fire for allegedly neglecting its duties despite the massive crowds following the recently held consecration ceremony. A viral video circulating online has further inflamed public sentiment, capturing the voices of distressed devotees.
In the video, one devotee can be heard saying, “We’ve been standing here since 6 in the morning. What’s the time now? It’s almost 3 or 4. People have been standing in line for so long. Children are struggling to go to the bathroom. They’re fainting and falling. There’s no water facility, nothing. There’s no food, no proper arrangements at all. When we come and ask the security here, they are keeping their mouth shut. We’ve been struggling for so long, and still nothing. What kind of security is this? They should respond to the people. When we ask, they just say, ‘That’s how we’ll do it, see what you can do.’ How long can people stand there?”
Another individual added, “There’s no drinking water facility upstairs. How many children are fainting and falling? They should answer, shouldn’t they? No one is answering. No one at the temple is answering.”
குடிக்க தண்ணி இல்லை, கழிவறை இல்லை, இன்று திருச்செந்தூரில் சித்ரவதைக்கு உள்ளான பக்தர்கள்
காலை 6மணிக்கு வரிசையில் நின்றவர்கள், மாலை 3மணி வரை நிற்கிறார்கள்
குடிநீர் வசதி கழிப்பறை வசதி எதுவுமின்றி கொடுமைப்படுத்தப்படுவதாக பக்தர்கள் வேதனை.. #DMKFailsTN #TamilnaduBJP @annamalai_k pic.twitter.com/gTb0xNXLRF
— 𝘿𝙐𝙍𝘼𝙄 𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙐 𝙎𝙐𝘽𝙍𝘼𝙈𝘼𝙉𝙄𝙔𝘼𝙈 (@duraisubramani) July 17, 2025
Criticism has also been directed toward Minister of HR&CE, Shekhar Babu, who has frequently spoken about large-scale renovations and financial investments in temple infrastructure. Hindu Munnani questioned the practical impact of such claims when basic needs of pilgrims remain unmet.
With temple administration remaining under government control, the group has raised broader concerns about the well-being and treatment of Hindu devotees in Tamil Nadu, calling for accountability and urgent action.
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