Tamil Nadu ministers clash over temple trustee appointments

Political tension has emerged in Tamil Nadu regarding the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) department. Former Minister and DMK MLA P. K. Sekar Babu defended the government’s appointment of temple trustees, asserting that the selections consist of qualified individuals with spiritual involvement rather than political affiliations. He cited various major temples, such as the Kapaleeswarar and Madurai Meenakshi Amman temples, to argue that the appointments follow established practices and judicial observations.

In response, current HRCE Minister Ramesh accused Sekar Babu of closely monitoring the department’s activities. Ramesh suggested this scrutiny stems from a fear that irregularities or unfulfilled projects from the previous administration might be exposed. He noted that several previously announced projects, including luxury accommodations and parking facilities for devotees, had not been initiated or were subsequently cancelled. Ramesh emphasized that addressing systemic irregularities in temple management is an ongoing process that cannot be completed overnight.