CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to prohibit devotees from carrying mobile phones inside 52 temples has triggered a sharp backlash, with Hindu organisations, BJP functionaries and several devotees questioning both the restriction and the reported Rs 5 charge for depositing phones.
The mobile phone ban, implemented from September 1 as the first phase of a wider rollout, has also raised concerns over long queues at phone-deposit counters, the safety of expensive devices and the inconvenience caused to elderly devotees and persons with disabilities.
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has said the restriction is aimed at preventing devotees, particularly youngsters, from taking photographs and shooting reels inside temples in violation of temple rules. The government has indicated that the ban will be extended to more temples after adequate arrangements are made for the safe custody of mobile phones.
கேமரா வசதியுள்ள மொபைல் போன் தடை அமலில் உள்ள 52 முதுநிலைத் திருக்கோயில்களின் பட்டியல்.@CMOTamilnadu @RameshOffcl @TNDIPRNEWS #tnhrce #CMJosephVijay #tndipr pic.twitter.com/1MTtHDZq7G
— TN HRCE (@tnhrcedept) September 1, 2026
The first phase covers 52 temples, including prominent Murugan temples at Vadapalani, Tiruttani and Kundrathur. The move follows an announcement in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that restrictions on mobile phones would be introduced in major temples from September 1.
Devotees object to phone deposit queues
The implementation has already led to concerns among devotees over the process of depositing and collecting mobile phones.
At the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Thiruvannamalai, devotees were seen queuing at a designated counter to hand over their phones before entering the temple. After darshan, they had to queue again to retrieve their devices.
Critics argue that mobile phones have become essential devices rather than mere cameras. They point out that phones are now used for digital payments, identification, communication, banking and access to documents, making it difficult for devotees to leave them outside the temple premises.
Some social media users have also questioned whether the system could create additional problems for families who become separated in crowded temple premises when they do not have access to their phones.
One devotee from Keralam described his experience at the Palani temple, saying his family group became separated in the crowd and took considerable time to reunite because mobile phones were not available.
Hindu groups oppose Rs 5 collection
Hindu organisations have objected particularly strongly to the reported Rs 5 charge for the safe custody of mobile phones.
The Hindu Munnani has described the collection as an additional burden on devotees and questioned why people should have to pay for depositing their own phones. The organisation also raised concerns about the amount that could be collected on ordinary days and during major festivals when temple footfall increases sharply.
பகல் கொள்ளையடிக்கும் அறநிலையத்துறை.. கேவலமான செயல்..
செல்போனை பாதுகாக்க கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பது பகல் கொள்ளை..@tnhrcedept @RameshOffcl @CMOTamilnadu #Temples #Mobile #HRCE #TVKGovt #HinduMunnani pic.twitter.com/PzmafkVIOK
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) September 1, 2026
The controversy has also drawn criticism from sections of the BJP. BJP functionary Ashvathaman questioned whether the HR&CE Department has legal authority to impose a charge for keeping devotees’ phones in custody.
He argued that the department’s responsibility is to administer temple affairs and accounts and questioned whether temple authorities could guarantee the safety of phones ranging from relatively inexpensive devices to high-end smartphones.
கோவில்களி்ல் பக்தர்களின் செல்போனுக்கு அறநிலைய அபகரிப்பு துறை தடை விதித்துள்ளது.
முதலில், பக்தர்களின் செல்போனுக்கு தடை விதிக்கும் அதிகாரம் அறநிலைய அபகரிப்பு துறைக்கு இல்லை. நீங்கள் எங்கள் கோவிலுக்குள் வந்தது கணக்கு வழக்கு பார்ப்பதற்குத்தான். நீங்கள் (மாநில அரசு) எங்கள்… pic.twitter.com/dqwUFUhjDF
— Ashvathaman Allimuthu (@asuvathaman) September 2, 2026
The criticism has extended beyond the fee itself. Questions have been raised about who would be responsible if a phone were lost, damaged or stolen while in temple custody, and whether devotees would receive adequate compensation.
Some critics have gone further, alleging that the restrictions could discourage people, particularly youngsters, from visiting temples and sharing information about temple history, festivals and traditions online.
One social media post described the move as an attempt to restrict the way Hindus document and promote temple culture, while questioning whether the policy could eventually affect temple footfall.
https://twitter.com/Vaiyatharayan/status/2094474777306300732?s=20
Another post compared the Rs 5 collection to a tax imposed on devotees and questioned the extent of government control over Hindu temples. Such comparisons and allegations are political criticisms of the policy and have not been established as facts.
Critics have also questioned whether the restriction is being applied uniformly to all categories of people entering temples, including political leaders and government functionaries.
One social media user specifically pointed to a video shared by Madavaram MLA Prabhu showing himself and his family receiving temple honours, asking whether the same mobile restrictions apply to ministers and other functionaries.
கோவிலுக்குள் செல்போன் எடுத்துச் செல்ல தடை இருக்கும்போது, மாதாவரம் எம்.எல்.ஏ விஜய் பிரபு மட்டும் எப்படி சிறுவாபுரி முருகன் கோவிலுக்குள் மனைவியோடு “டிரீம்ஸ்” போஸ் போட்டு புகைப்படம் எடுத்துக்கொண்டார்?
சாதாரண பக்தர்களுக்கு விதி, விஐபி-களுக்கு “விதிவிலக்கு”தானா?
மற்றவர்கள் போனை… pic.twitter.com/kOdC1OdjI5— ThamiZh (@ThamizhTharmar) September 2, 2026
Bigger question over temple administration
At the heart of the controversy is a larger debate over how Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu should be administered and how far the state-controlled HR&CE system should regulate devotees’ activities.
Supporters of the mobile restriction maintain that temples are places of worship and that unrestricted photography and reel-making can disturb the sanctity of temple premises. Opponents, however, say the government should enforce existing rules against inappropriate photography without imposing a blanket restriction and an additional financial burden on devotees.
For now, the HR&CE Department plans to expand the restriction in phases after establishing infrastructure for secure phone storage. The effectiveness of the policy will depend not only on whether it curbs reel-making inside temples but also on whether authorities can ensure efficient queues, secure custody of devices and a hassle-free experience for devotees.
