Residents of Bharathipuram in Chromepet protested the sealing of hundis in an Amman temple in their locality by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department.
Those opposing the government takeover of the Sri Muthumariamman Temple staged a demonstration on Thursday.
According to residents, the temple was under the management of a trust, headed by municipal councilor, J.M. Sekar. Based on complaints of irregularities in its administration, the temple was brought under the HR and CE. Personal rivalry and fund management related issues between two factions had been on the rise over the last few months.
While one section repeatedly urged the State government to take over administration of the temple, the other opposed it.
Recently, when the matter came up before authorities, it was recommended its administration be taken over by the HR and CE department, residents of Bharathipuram said. The temple committee filed a case in the court.
When officials of HR and CE, Executive Officer in-charge K. Ravi went to the temple to seal the hundis on Thursday, J.M. Sekar and his supporters opposed it. But the officials finally sealed the hundis. J.M. Sekar said development work carried out all these years in the temple was a result of efforts by residents and without government support. Therefore, the move to take over the temple was unfair, he said.
