CHENNAI, April 5: Hindu Munnani, a Hindu organization of Tamil Nadu, has opposed any move to part away with the property of temples and religious establishments.
Reacting sharply to the suggestions made by CPI leader D Pandian to the Government to grant rights to property to the tenants and residents of the temple land or houses, Ram Gopalan, founder of Hindu Munnani urged the Chief Minister to straight away reject the recommendations.
In a statement issued here Ram Gopalan said that rajas, jamindars and philanthropists had donated land and other properties and assets to temples to generate regular income for propagating religion and for other social causes. These properties and assets were meant for specific purpose and should be used for the same. Any contravention to this purpose would be illegal, he said.
The government and the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board only have the authority and right to manage these assets and not to sale or dispose it of in any other manner.
The Hindu Munnani leader drawing attention of the authorities to the properties of Christian Missions and Waqf Boards that are autonomous and manage their own properties without any interference, asked the government whether it would interfere in their affairs.
Gopalan said that why not the Left parties that own lands, business ventures and properties and other assets are not giving rights to the downtrodden or the landless workers?
Instead these parties suggested selling the properties of the temples and park this money into the banks. The Hindu Munnani was opposed to such a move as such funds can easily be misappropriated. Moreover, immovable assets can always fetch more values in future.
Popular Tamil belief also prohibits one from grabbing temple land. The traditional proverb says “grabbing temple property spells doom for the family”.
The Hindu Munnani urged the Chief Minister not to heed to such suggestions. It warned that it would oppose any such move from any quarter of the society and would resort to any type of agitation to protect temple properties.
The organization also urged the Chief Minister to take firm steps for prompt collection of rent from the tenants and to increase the revenue of the temples so that they become self-reliant and offer free services to the devotees.