While CM M. K. Stalin on June 18 laid the foundation stone for 49 new civil infrastructure projects worth Rs.217.98 crore in 26 temples under the control of the HR and CE Department, the Madras High Court bench directed that all civil works should be put on hold. It is another victory for Hindus, as funds belonging to temples and being plundered in the name of such projects have now been halted.
On June 19, the First Division Bench of the Madras High Court ordered an immediate halt to all ongoing and proposed civil construction projects by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department that are in violation of binding judicial precedents.
This came while hearing a PIL filed by temple activist and president of the Temple Worshippers Society, T. R. Ramesh. The petition challenged a Government Order (G.O.) permitting the construction of a shopping complex on the sacred lands of the historic Sri Nellaiappar Temple in Tirunelveli.
The petitioner’s counsel, B. Jagannath, argued that such constructions directly violate the landmark judgment of the Madras High Court in the Sri Nandeeswarar Temple case, which was recently affirmed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in May 2025. Senior Counsel Satish Parasaran and Advocate Niranjan represented the petitioner in various matters, highlighting that multiple ongoing projects across Tamil Nadu are in contempt of this ruling and involve misuse of temple funds exceeding Rs.1,000 crore.
The Bench expressed serious concern and questioned why the HR&CE Department continues to bring forward construction proposals despite clear legal prohibitions. It directed the state government to maintain status quo on all such constructions and asked the department to file its counter-affidavit within three weeks. The next hearing is scheduled for July 24, 2025.
Hailing the directions of the court, temple activist Ramesh posted on X, saying:
“This is HUGE. The Hon’ble Chief Justice’s Bench of the Madras High Court puts on hold all civil works (Rs.1000/–+++) crores using temple funds and properties — but in violation of the law laid down by the Hon’ble Bench in the Sri Nandeeswarar Temple (Baskar case – Advocate Jagannath). The said judgment was affirmed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in May 2025. The Hon’ble First Bench wanted to know why the TN HR&CE Dept was repeatedly bringing construction projects in violation of the law. We know that @tnhrcedept is indulging in granting lucrative contracts at the cost of temple funds and properties. They have now been put on hold. The HR and CE Dept is to file a counter within 3 weeks. Rs.1000 crore+ of temple money saved as of now.
Jai Shri Ram!
Har Har Mahadev!This is HUGE. Hon'ble Chief Justice's Bench of the Madras High Court puts on hold all civil works (Rs.1000/ – +++ )Crores using temple funds and properties — but in violation of the law laid down by the Hon'ble Bench in Sri Nandiswarar… pic.twitter.com/q7JHjnUiKv
— trramesh (@trramesh) June 19, 2025
On June 18, CM Stalin inaugurated 33 completed projects, including temple-related works and 15 administrative offices, worth Rs.21.5 crore, through video conferencing. The courts have been reiterating that temple revenue should not be used for commercial or non-endowed projects.
Recently, amid a push to raise funds and a denial of devotees’ desire to visit temples, the TN government has been hiking fees for darshan, facing widespread condemnation. The Executive Office at the Kallazhagar Temple recently issued a notification (No. 1156/2025-A4, dated June 5, 2025) stating that “quick darshan” and “general darshan” (priced at Rs.10) will be suspended. Instead, a “Break Darshan” costing Rs.500 per person is being implemented, except during major festivals and auspicious days. With the Rs.500 system applying on all but 33 days annually, the temple has effectively placed a paywall around devotion for 91% of the year.
Sri Kallazhagar temple, Azhagarkoil, Madurai District. An ancient temple of 20 centuries and one of the 108 Vaishnava Divyadesams. The temple is administered by FRAUD by @tnhrcedept from 13.12.1951 in defiance of the orders of… pic.twitter.com/COObAcfZYx
— trramesh (@trramesh) June 17, 2025
Ramesh has expressed serious concern over a recent e-tender issued by the HR&CE Department for renovation works at the ancient Arulmigu Kalamegaperumal Temple in Thirumohur, Madurai. He posed critical questions: Why is there a fresh tender for Rs.2.67 crore so soon after recent renovations? Was approval obtained from the Director of the State Archaeology Department, as legally required for heritage temples? Did the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conduct an inspection and issue a report, as mandated by a Madras High Court Division Bench ruling?
Ramesh, the temple activist, has issued a legal notice to the Principal Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Religious Endowments Department and the Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, seeking urgent action against the illegal occupation of Sri Sekkizhar Swamy Temple land by a Christian minority institution, Madha Dental College near Chennai.
https://x.com/trramesh/status/1931657614187692124
A non-Hindu Trust can use Hindu Temple lands for good purposes with proper lease agreement and after fixing and regularly paying appropriate fair rent to the temple.
But NO TRUST – including a Xtian Minority Trust -should be allowed to occupy Hindu Temple lands by fraud for 20+ years and then demand the lands from the very Hindu Temple for itself.
