protect hindu temples from govt control

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

Hijacked: Religious Heritage

Impact of Government Control Over Hindu Temples

मंि���दर उपासक सं�ग

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

The Six Sins of the Government

1.Temple Wealth

2. Rites, Rituals & Practices

3. Temple Architecture

4. Inscriptions: Living record of ancient times

5. Knowledge, Art, Culture

6.Government Departments

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

1. Looting Temple Wealth

38,491 temples in Tamil Nadu own

• 478,462 acres Agriculture lands• 22,600 buildings• 33,627 sites (3 cr sq yd)

Just `58 crores per year!At less than market rent `6,000 crores per year!

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

Temple Properties

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

1. Looting Temple Temples

What is Governments track record of managing Temple property?

• 92% of the Land lease revenue uncollected• 91% of the site rents uncollected• 78% of the building rents uncollected • Properties transferred to individuals identified – 8540 acres• Recovered by the Department – not even 10%

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

2. Rites Rituals & Practices

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

3. Architecture Heritage

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

Rajarajeswaram

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

Nasiyanur: Entire temple structure sold!

Before After

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

4. Inscriptions

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

5. Knowledge, Art, Culture

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

5. Knowledge, Art, Culture

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

6. Temples as Government Departments

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

6. Temples as Government Departments

• Managing & Services Fee (TN Sec 92)In the ten years, till 2011• Collected `429cr! Spent less than 70% - `295cr. Surplus `134cr• For year 2010-11, collected `83cr & spent less than 60%. Surplus `35cr

• Common Good Fund (TN Sec 97 )In the last five years– Collected around `56cr. and earned interest of `3.83cr. `60cr– Spent less than half - just `23cr surplus of `37cr!

• Audit Fee Racket!– `25 cr. for 280 temples– `15 cr. for 1,800+ branches, `1.25 lac cr. deposits

Temple Worshippers Society for the Hindus, by the Hindus

Temples are ‘secular’ Govt. Depts.