News Tamil Nadu

Temple Activist Demands Cancellation Of GO That Allowed Alleged Illegal Lease Of Kapaleeswarar Temple’s Land

June 22, 2024
The Commune

On 21 June 2024, renowned temple activist TR Ramesh has addressed correspondence to key officials of the Tamil Nadu government concerning Sri Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai. The temple, an ancient agamic structure for the Saiva Sampradaya and the Poonamalee Uyar Thuluva Vellalars sect, was relocated to its current site in the 16th century after the original temple was destroyed by Portuguese forces and replaced with San Thome church.

The activist raised concerns over the unlawful lease of temple land to the Women’s Indian Association in 2012, comprising 10 grounds at a nominal rent of ₹3000 per month for 29 years and 11 months. Despite objections by the Temple Worshippers Society, the lease was approved by the government via G.O. Ms. 77 dated 24 February 2011, which has not been rescinded to date. This lease has resulted in significant financial losses to the temple annually.

TR Ramesh, President of the Temple Worshippers Society (TWS) in Chennai, alleged collusion and criminal neglect of duty against successive Secretaries, Commissioners, Executive Officers, and Trustees associated with the temple. The activist demanded the immediate actions of:

  • Cancelling G.O. No. 77, deemed void ab initio.
  • Evicting the Women’s Indian Association from the temple lands.
  • Initiating criminal complaints against the encroachers under Section 79-B of the Tamil Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959.
  • Calculating and collecting commercial rent from the encroaching organization for the period since 1986, and subsequent rents from 2013 onwards, with responsibilities and liabilities distributed among relevant government officials.

In his official X account, he highlighted that the Tamil Nadu government and the HR&CE department attempted an unauthorized lease of 10 grounds of valuable land on Greenways Road, Chennai. Instead of the mandated ₹15 lakhs per month, the land was leased for a nominal ₹3000 per month, bypassing legal notice requirements under the HR&CE Act.

He noted that Radha Rajan, founder of  TWS, swiftly objected on 23 July 2012, with additional objections raised subsequently. By 13 February 2013, the Commissioner recommended cancelling the Government Order approving the lease. However, the G.O. has not been rescinded, and the organization encroaching on the temple land remains in place.

As a consequence, Sri Kapaleeshwarar Temple has suffered losses exceeding ₹20 crores in potential rental income over the past 11 years due to this unresolved issue, according to the temple activist. Ramesh criticized the government and the HR&CE department for allegedly withholding funds that could have supported Dharmic activities benefiting thousands of Hindus annually. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to reclaim these funds from those responsible for the purported mismanagement and negligence.

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