Tamil Nadu BJP Condemns HR&CE For Allegedly Handing Over Bhagavathi Amman Temple Land To Kanyakumari Municipality

The Tamil Nadu BJP has strongly condemned the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Department for not opposing the Kanyakumari district administration’s claim over 46.5 cents of land belonging to the Bhagavathi Amman Temple. The district administration had controversially declared this land as government “Poramboke” land.

The criticism follows an executive order issued by the Kanyakumari District Collector on 8 November 2024, which classified the 46.5 cents of land under Agastheeswara Circle, Plot No. 679/2, as government property. The order directed municipal departments to carry out maintenance work on this land, citing the construction of tourism-related facilities, such as restrooms and temporary sheds, as the primary reason. The order also instructed the HRCE Commissioner to hand over the land to the municipality.

This move has sparked outrage, particularly because the land in question is a sacred site used by lakhs of devotees during the Aadi month’s New moon day for the ritual of offering “Darpanam” . With the land now designated for construction, questions have arisen about where the devotees will go to perform these rituals in the future.

The Tamil Nadu BJP issued a statement condemning the HR&CE’s actions, questioning the legality and motives behind the transfer. The statement read, “Is it fair for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to atrociously hand over 46.5 cents of land at Triveni Sangam, which belongs to the Kanyakumari Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple, to the Kanyakumari Municipality?”

“Traditionally, lakhs of people gather here on Ammavasai (new moon day) to perform Darpanam. Where will they go to offer their prayers now? Who is responsible for misrepresenting the temple land as government property for personal or political gain? Who misrepresented the temple land as a government Poramboke temple for personal gain?”, it added.

“From where did the District Magistrate and HR&CE got the authority to subsidize the use of temple space for political gain? I strongly condemn this. And since there are many such precedents, this government should ensure that temple lands are used only for the use of devotees. I also condemn the HRCE department for failing to protect the temple lands. For such atrocity, why is there a HRCE department?” It further added.

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