In its latest ruling, the SC has restored the tradition being followed for centuries, and directed the management of Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Tiruvanandapuram will be with the Royal Family. That is a fit precedence which would come handy for the Hindu society in Tamilnadu trying to stop forthwith the criminal squandering of kanikkai funds by HR & CE in the name of administration. In the event of a demand by devotees that kanaikkai offered to temples in terms of cash, jewels, land, etc., over millennia should be spent for no other purpose than the upkeep of Agama injunctions, not a single rupee should be taken from the temple fund to pay salaries to the administrative battalion going by the name of HR&CE staff and officials.
Several PILs were filed by affected parties and Hindu activists to retrieve Hindu temples from the vice like grip of Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Dept. In many cases, the SC/HCs have ruled against the HR&CE dept and restored the control to the petitioners. A private member bill to achieve the same goal is pending in Rajaya Sabha , which the ruling party likely to support. While efforts to remove the unconstitutional control of temples by HR& CE dept may take more time to yield desired result, a campaign to ensure the HR&CE dept functions as per the act will serve the purpose in the meantime.
Recently TN govt was forced to retract the circular directing some of the temples to contribute Rs 10 crore to CM’s fund for COVID 19 relief. Now TN Govt wats to “ Showcase “ the temples in the state through a 2x7 TV channel , to be run by the corrupt HR&CE dept. Reports say “dry run” has already started. While taking photo/video by devotees are banned, how this can be allowed? Why not entrust the live cast to Doordharshan?
The HR&CE act is specific there could be no offices inside any temple. But what we see sprawling offices with ACs and attached toilets inside many temples. Guidelines for appointing Trustees/Managing Trustees are flouted. The HR&CE should not interfere in temple routines/rituals, but the rule is only on paper. Time dates etc for Temple rituals , annual functions and “ Kumbabishagam/ Kudamuazhakku are fixed as per “ Agama” rules, planetary position etc. Hence should observed on the dates come what may. But HR&CE authorities bend these traditions to suit the convenience of politicians/VIPs.
On the other hand the HR&CE bound to protect/maintain temples vast immovable and movable properties, but act hand in gloves with the lesees/tenants, and other vested interests. Former Kings/ Rulers and several philanthropists have endowed liberally to temple, and the income from them will make the temples independent. But while the HR&CE dept has allowed/connived in squandering these assets, goes on installing “ Hundies” to tap public donations, which they are not supposed to do. From entry to exit of temples, devotees are fleeced on every count. The HR&CE dept is the “White Elephant” that gobbles up the entire income of the temples. Almost all the temples with meager /no income are in very bad shape. Archakas are poorly paid , temples are not maintained and devotees welfare totally neglected. During this lockdown, while the HR&CE staff and officers get their full salary the archakas are denied their meager salary. Many philanthropic organization extend financial and material help. This dept entirely deals with public properties/funds through Hundies is not accountable to anyone. It is shocking there is no external audit. While disposing of a PIL against HR&CE dept in Dec 2016, the Madras HC was annoyed with the response of HR&CE officials , threatened it would be compelled to scrap HR&CE act.And now questions arise why temple should bear the cost of heavily staffed HR&CE dept? What are checks in the absence of an external audit? Why the dept failed to maintain the records of the vast wealth?
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