A sharp exchange unfolded in the Tamil Nadu Assembly after Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin questioned the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government’s policy regarding the utilisation of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department funds.
Raising the issue during the debate on the Governor’s Address, Udhayanidhi pointed to a statement in the address that said income generated from the movable and immovable assets of the HR&CE Department would be used only for its “sacred purposes.”
Referring to the statement, Udhayanidhi said, “When I see this observation, it raises a doubt in our minds whether the TVK government is now echoing the BJP’s position that the HR&CE Department itself should not exist.”
He further argued that the BJP and various right-wing groups have long maintained that the HR&CE Department should not run schools and colleges.
“This is exactly what the BJP and right-wing organisations have been saying – that the HR&CE Department should not run educational institutions. Cases have even been filed on this issue. Therefore, we want to know whether this new position applies only to marriage halls and commercial complexes or whether these conditions will also extend to educational institutions,” he said.
Responding to the criticism, HR&CE Minister Ramesh rejected the comparison and clarified the government’s position.
“With regard to the HR&CE Department, the essence of what was stated in the Governor’s Address is that temple revenues will be spent for temples and for the devotees who visit them,” the minister said.
Ramesh also defended the government’s decision to halt several marriage hall and commercial complex projects initiated during the previous administration.
According to him, the government found that many temples lacked basic facilities for devotees, including accommodation and sanitation, while substantial resources were being diverted towards revenue-generating commercial projects.
“Instead of improving basic facilities such as accommodation, toilets and other amenities needed by devotees, the previous government launched these projects with the sole objective of generating revenue by constructing marriage halls and commercial complexes. That is why we reviewed and cancelled them,” he said.
The minister added that several of these projects were also facing court cases and stay orders, further justifying the government’s decision.
Citing an example, Ramesh referred to a proposal announced during the previous regime to construct a ₹10-crore multi-level car parking facility using temple funds at the Arulmigu Vinayagar Temple in Coonoor.
“The previous minister had announced a project worth nearly ₹10 crore to build a multi-level car parking facility using temple funds. But the temple receives only around 500 devotees a month on average. The temple does not even have basic toilet facilities. Not just that, nearly 50 temples in and around Coonoor and Udhagamandalam lack even basic sanitation facilities,” he said.
Questioning the rationale behind the proposal, the minister asked, “When such basic facilities are absent, why is there a need for a multi-level car parking facility using temple funds? Is that not a commercial project?”
Ramesh said the government opposed the commercialisation of temple funds and had therefore halted such projects.
“We stopped these projects because we are against using temple funds for commercial purposes. Instead, as clearly stated in the government order, we will formulate alternative projects that directly benefit temples and devotees,” he said.
The minister also rejected suggestions that the government intended to stop spending on public welfare initiatives such as educational or healthcare institutions.
“Nowhere have we said that we will not establish educational institutions or healthcare facilities that benefit the public,” he said.
Highlighting another example, Ramesh stated that a proposal to establish a Siddha hospital in Palani with financial assistance from the Union Government had been shelved by the previous administration.
“The Union Government was ready to provide funding for a Siddha hospital in Palani. However, the previous government put the proposal on hold, saying it could not bear the recurring expenditure. We have now revived that project and initiated studies to take it forward,” he said.
Concluding his reply, the minister dismissed allegations that the TVK government was acting as a proxy for any political party.
“We do not need to function as anybody’s B-team,” he said.
“There is absolutely no necessity for the government led by Chief Minister Vijay and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to use temple funds for commercial purposes. Temple funds should never be commercialised,” Ramesh added.
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