The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s promise to form a high-level committee led by a retired judge to consider the demand of people who are offering to purchase temple land within the legal framework has evoked strong criticism. However, the DMK has clarified that there was no intention to sell the properties outright.
“The DMK is blatantly appeasing the minority. While the party will not consider giving patta to encroachers of Wakf Board land, they are ready to sell temple land without any qualms,” alleged Bharatiya Janata Party’s national secretary H. Raja.
Once the government started providing patta for temple land, it would pave the way for plundering of temple properties, he added.
Temples and mutts in the State, administered by the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), own 4.78 lakh acres of land. They also have buildings on 22,600 sites and 33,665 vacant sites Further, agriculture lands have been leased out to 1,23,729 tenants. The policy note of the department says approximately Rs. 58.68 crore is realised as income from these immovable properties.
DMK clarifies
DMK’s manifesto committee chairman T.R. Baalu, however, has clarified that there was no proposal to sell the properties outright.
“Our manifesto is only talking about creating a panel to consider the requests of those who have been managing the lands and properties for generations. But, they are not even able to obtain loans from banks. We have received a lot of requests from such occupants of temple lands,” Mr. Baalu said.
A lot of temple properties have changed hands across the State even though Section 34 of the Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments Act clearly states: “any exchange, sale or mortgage and any lease for a term exceeding five years of any immovable property shall be null and void unless sanctioned by the Commissioner as being necessary or beneficial to the institution.”
“The problem with the temple lands is lack of parental documents. Sale of properties takes place so long as there is no objection. But, if the matter reaches the court, the sale will not stand the legal scrutiny,” said a former commissioner of the HR&CE.
It was misuse of temple lands and failure on the part of the trustees known as Maganthukal to fulfil the requirements for which the land and properties had been donated that led to the creation of the HR&CE Department by the Justice Party government in 1925.
“Contrary to popular perception, all the leaders of Justice Party had faith in religion and God. They were concerned about the management of temples and could enact legislation for the creation of the department only after two years of struggle,” explained historian of the Dravidian Movement K. Thirunavukkarasu.
Mr. Baalu said the problem was with an incorrect reading of the manifesto.
