State Govt Can’t Use Temple Land For Any Purpose Except Religious Functions: Madras HC

Chennai: The Madras High Court has ruled that the state government cannot use temple land for any purpose other than for holding religious functions.

Responding to grievances raised by devotees regarding the alienation of temple land of two temples in Tamil Nadu, the high court emphasised that temple land can be utilised only for the beneficial purposes of the temple, according to an ‘opindia’ report.

The court observed that temples are not only a source of identification of the ancient culture but also a testimony of pride and knowledge of the talent in the fields of arts, science and sculpture. It also directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to identify and protect all temple lands from encroachers with an officer in charge filing periodical reports.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu is responsible for managing and regulating the temple administration in the state.

The high court order came after several petitions were filed by devotees against the encroachment of land of the Sakthi Muthamman temple near Neelankarai and the Kottai Mariamman temple in Salem. The petitions were filed after the Fisheries Department developed a modern fish market, fish eatery and office building on some of the land belonging to the Sakthi Mathamman Temple. The department had done this disregarding the objections raised by the devotees.

Similarly, some land belonging to the Arulmighu Kottai Mariamman Thirukoil was transferred to the Regional Transport Department without following due procedure. Some of the temple’s land was also taken over by the Highways Department to construct a bridge.