Temple activist TR Ramesh has issued a bold challenge to the Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) department, Sekar Babu, urging transparency in the collection of temple rental revenue for the years 2020-2021 to 2023-2024. Ramesh, renowned for his relentless crusade against the HR and CE department’s alleged malpractices and mismanagement of temple funds, called upon the minister to publicly disclose the details of temple rental revenue collections.
In a recent social media post on his handle, Ramesh directed his challenge specifically to the HR and CE departments and Minister Sekar Babu, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in the administration of temple properties. Drawing attention to the Sri Bharatwajeswarar Temple in Kodambakkam, Chennai, situated merely five minutes from the Commissioner’s office, Ramesh underscored the discrepancy between the total rental revenue due and the actual amount collected by the department.
Read More: Tamil Nadu: Madras High Court takes strong stance on unauthorised occupation of temple lands
Ramesh presented a comparative analysis of the temple’s rental revenue for the years 2015–2016 to 2019–2020, revealing a stark disparity between the expected revenue and the actual collections by the HR and CE departments. . He criticised the department for its purportedly dismal track record, with total collections ranging from 0.17 per cent to 0.48 per cent of the total amount owed. Despite owning prime property spanning approximately 0.75 million square feet in Chennai, Ramesh criticised the department’s purported failure to optimise the temple’s potential for generating revenue.
According to Ramesh, the temple possesses the capacity to yield substantial rental income, potentially amounting to Rs 100 crores annually, which could be utilised to benefit the Hindu community by providing employment opportunities, educational initiatives, and infrastructure development. He said, ” a temple, which can employ hundreds of Hindus and educate 1000s of Hindu children every year, a temple, which can build Hindu schools and colleges. All of these are not done because. @tnhrcedept is unfit to take care of temples and their properties. Can the DEPT publish the information for 2020–2021 and 2023–2024? How much has it collected as rentals? Still the same, less than half a percent? Ready to take my challenge?”
My CHALLENGE to @tnhrcedept and Hon'ble Minister for Hindu Religious Endowments Department Shri @PKSekarbabu
There is a temple right under the nose of the Commissioner of HR&CE Dept in Chennai – 5 minutes from his office
Sri Bharatwajeswarar Temple, Kodambakkam
I have… pic.twitter.com/a1GOPzWDyT
— trramesh (@trramesh) May 3, 2024
In another post, his efforts to prevent the construction of commercial complexes in the vicinity of the Thiruvannamalai temple have borne fruit. He said, “On November 10, 2023, I brought the issue of illegal construction of 150 shops in temple land right in front of the Rajagopuram of Sri Arunachaleswarar temple, Tiruvannamalai—an ancient and architecturally important temple – before the Hon’ble Special Bench that was hearing temple matters in Madras High Court. After a quick hearing, the Hon’ble Division Bench was pleased to direct that all construction activity on the temple site should be stopped immediately. Today, when my Writ Petition came up before Hon’ble 1st Bench, Govt. and @tnhrcedept ‘s Special Counsel submitted that they are not proceeding with the shopping complex construction. Victory for Temple Devotees!”.
On 10.11.2023 I had brought the issue of illegal constructions of 150 shops in temple land right in front of the Rajagopuram of Sri Arunachaleswarar temple, Tiruvannamalai- an ancient and architecturally important temple – before the Hon’ble Special Bench that was hearing temple… pic.twitter.com/XHHfVBydrb
— trramesh (@trramesh) April 30, 2024
TR Ramesh of the Temple Worshippers Society is ready to offer help to four priests who have been arrested for taking home the cash offering from the devotees. In a post, he said, “HR and CE departments have done many financial and administrative frauds in Sri Vanabadrakaliamman Temple, Tekkampatti, Tamil Nadu – arrested four poojaris of the temple for taking the plate offerings—dakshina – given to them by devotees. I am sure TN government will agree with me since they seem to approve the arrest of poojaris for taking plate offerings given by devotees. “Thousands of dollars have been taken by @tnhrcedept officials without legal procedures or authority – they should be arrested too!”
The @tnhrcedept which has done many many financial and administrative frauds in Sri Vanabadrakaliamman Temple, Tekkampatti, Tamil Nadu – had got four poojaris of the temple arrested for taking the plate offerings – dakshina – given to them by devotees.
The Executive Officer… pic.twitter.com/7La5ORe5an
— trramesh (@trramesh) May 2, 2024
There is hope that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when the new government takes charge at the Centre, there will be a growing chorus of voices advocating for the liberation of temples from state government control. The demand, championed by various stakeholders, aims to establish independent management committees comprising eminent individuals and stakeholders to oversee temple affairs.
