Tamil Nadu BJP president L Murugan urged the state government to apply the Minimum Wage Act to all temple employees, including priests, as ordered by the Madras high court.
In a press statement, Tamil Nadu BJP President L. Murugan said:
“The BJP welcomes the orders of the Chennai High Court to protect temples and ancient monuments by setting up Mamallapuram World Heritage Site Management Commission within eight weeks. The 17-member panel will include representatives from the Archaeological Survey of India, historians, representatives of the Public Works Department (PWD), a Treasury official equivalent to the Joint Commissioner, and others.”
He further stated that according to the judgment no monuments, temples, statues, or sculptures declared by state or central laws can be modified without the consent of the committee, implying that the committee will be held liable for any harm to the monuments.
He added that the verdict directs the government to prepare a handbook covering guidelines for preserving and reconstructing traditional temples, non-traditional temples, monuments, and historical sites within the next 12 weeks.
He demanded that the Archeological Department create a website to upload details of temple assets and increase transparency. He said,” The Department of Archeology should inspect and appraise temples older than 100 years and create a website to inform the public about historical sites and temples in their area. The court ordered to use temple funds solely for temple maintenance, ceremonies, rituals, and other temple-related activities, and any excess cash be used for temple activities of other smaller temples.
“The government, through the HR&CE commissioner, is the trustee for the temple lands, and these properties should not be sold or transferred against the donors’ wishes. These properties should always be in the possession of the temple. The looting of temple lands will be avoided if these guidelines are followed.” he continued.
Within the court-mandated six-week period, he demanded that the website include information regarding temple properties, images of idols in temples, lease and rent arrears and efforts taken to collect them, and details of idols stolen from temples.
He also urged that the government implement the Minimum Wage Act for all temple employees, including priests, and that their pay be equal to those of government employees.
He concluded by saying,” I urge the government to come forward to implement all that is instructed in this landmark judgment.”
சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றம் கோவில்கள் மற்றும் புராதான சின்னங்கள் பாதுகாக்க அதிரடி உத்தரவுகளை வழங்கியுள்ளது, பாரதிய ஜனதா கட்சி சார்பில் பெரிதும் வரவேற்று பாராட்டுகிறேன்.@JPNadda@blsanthosh@CTRavi_BJP @ReddySudhakar21 #hindutemple pic.twitter.com/iuG5qRegdo
— Dr.L.Murugan (@Murugan_TNBJP) June 10, 2021
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