MADURAI: A strong votary for protection of Hindu temples Shri. ‘Thirukoshtiyur’ S.Pandirajan ( Sri Maha Swamini Peetham) has made a fervent appeal for setting up of autonomous boards for managing Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu to safeguard temple properties and their revenue.
“There should be a separate Board to manage for our Hindu temples……When there is Wakf Board for Muslims and Diocese for Christians, why not we have independent / autonomous and decentralised exclusive Board for Hindu temples in this State as was done in Kerala,?” he questioned.
Shri.’Thirukoshtiyur’ Pandirajan was speaking on the topic – a comprehensive socio-economic study of Hindu temples’ at a discussion meet organised by the ‘Initiative for Public Policy’ forum at MADITSSIA Hall in Madurai on November 3rd 2017.
Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Shri.La.Ganesan led the discussion on three important public issues with experts and resource persons. He heard the views expressed by invitees for the meeting on economic / industrial development in southern districts of Tamil Nadu and protecting local water bodies / local water sources.
40,000 TEMPLES IN INDIA:
Shri.Pandirajan has said that there are more than 40,000 temples in India, totally six lakh temples in India while south India has 1.5 lakh temples.
“It is very sad that employees in our Tamil Nadu temples receive meagre salaries….they have no source of income….The revenue or income earned by temples ts going to the Tamil Nadu State government but nothing is being done to protect our temples, employees and properties…..There was a report that 47,000 acres of land belonging to various temples in Tamil Nadu is not in the records now and what happened to that land is anybody’s guess,”he added.
Shri.’Thirukoshtiyur’ S.Pandirajan stated that temples give socio-economic life to lakhs of people and hence an integrated approach is required to safeguard them.
SMALL TEMPLES NEGLECTED:
“Our Trust – ‘Iraipaniyil Arakkattalai’ – is undertaking several works in temples…Like in Kerala where Devasom Board manages temples, our State Tamil Nadu also should follow that model….Unfortunately, small temples in Tamil Nadu are being neglected……Only those temples which are revenue earners are taken care of by the State Government. So, instead of HR&CE department, let an autonomous Board look after temples, renovation and properties,” he had suggested.
Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary Prof.Dr.R.Srinivasan, BJP Madurai City president Mr.Saseeraman, MADITSSIA president Mr.K.P.Murugan and Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr.N.Jagadeesan, were among those who spoke at the first discussion of ‘Initiative for Public Policy’ held in Madurai on November 3rd 2017 in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Shri.La.Ganesan.
