BJP National Mahila Morcha leader and Tamil Nadu Assembly MLA Vanathi Srinivasan criticized the DMK government for its failure to appoint trustee boards in thousands of Hindu temples under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, questioning the department’s purpose if it cannot fulfil this fundamental responsibility.
In a strongly worded statement, Vanathi highlighted that the HR&CE Department oversees 43,631 temples, 45 sub-temples, 69 temple-affiliated shrines, 2,392 trusts, and 22 Jain temples across Tamil Nadu. She noted that trustee boards are essential for properly managing and preserving these institutions but alleged that the state government had neglected this duty.
Over 23,500 Temples Without Trustee Boards
According to the HR&CE Department’s response to a case pending in the Supreme Court, applications were invited to form trustee boards in 31,000 temples across the state. However, the department admitted that insufficient applications led to 23,500 temples without trustee boards.
In November 2021, the Hindu Dharma Parishad requested the formation of boards, including diverse members such as a former judge, a social activist, a devotee, and representatives from the SC/ST communities and women. Despite the government’s response citing the Hindu Religious and Endowments Act, the Parishad filed a case in the Madras High Court, which was dismissed in December 2021. The Parishad then appealed to the Supreme Court, highlighting the mismanagement of over 40,000 temples in Tamil Nadu. During a recent hearing, the Tamil Nadu government stated that trustee boards had been formed for 7,500 temples, while applications were sought for 31,000 temples. The court has directed the government to submit a report within four weeks on steps to appoint trustees for the remaining temples. The next hearing is scheduled for February 2025.
Vanathi Srinivasan Statement
Vanathi criticized the department for prioritizing temples with substantial income and large assets while neglecting smaller temples. Speaking to Dinamalar, she said, “If we cannot appoint committees of guardians in 23,500 temples, what is the purpose of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department? The Department of Endowments focuses only on temples that generate high income. Those who do not believe in Hindu gods and have a strong hatred for Hinduism are keeping the DMK in check, so we can see that the party is engaging in anti-Hindu activities even in its rule. The DMK government is not willing to appoint such people who are devoted to Hinduism as trustees. In many temples, only those requested by the DMK are appointed as trustees. Even those who do not believe in God and who spew hatred towards Hinduism on social media have been appointed as trustees. The DMK government, which is unable to appoint trustees in 23,500 Hindu temples, is interfering in the Chidambaram Nataraja temple, which is being appointed by Dikshitars in the best possible way, and is creating unnecessary crises. The DMK government is not doing what should be done and is creating unnecessary problems in temples that are managed well by others. During the DMK regime, Chief Minister Stalin does not even greet the people during Hindu festivals. Even on the Tamil Nadu government’s website, there is no mention of the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowment Department it is just the Religious Charitable Endowment Department. The DMK government should immediately appoint security teams in all Hindu temples under its control, repair dilapidated temples, and conduct Kumbabhishekam. If all this cannot be done, the government should withdraw from the responsibility of managing Hindu temples.”
The lack of trustee boards, according to Vanathi, risks the deterioration of temples and underscores the urgent need for reforms in temple management.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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