“…The government should exercise the same degree and level of control over temples as are exercised over churches and mosques?,” questioned Justice GR Swaminathan of Madurai Bench of Madras High Court while quashing defamation cases against a devotee, Rangarajan Narasimhan.
Narasimhan had alleged mismanagement by officials managing Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple besides questioning the condition of thousands of temples, facing negligence.
Narasimhan had pointed the mismanagement of the concerned temple and laid out alleged wrongdoings of the Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Departments (HRCE), as well as one of ex-chariman of the Board of Trustees of the temple on social media. It had let to FIR against him by the authorities.
“Tamil Nadu is a land of temples. They have played a central role in our culture. However, their current condition leaves a lot to be desired. Lands endowed for their maintenance have been gobbled up by private interests. Antique idols have been stolen and smuggled overseas. The temple staff are paid a pittance. Thousands of temples are facing utter neglect. Even poojas are not being performed. Much needs to be done to revive their glory,” the bench added.
