INDIA, July 27, 2011 (by T.R. Ramesh): Tamil Nadu’s government claims to be secular, but it treats Hindu temples and institutions differently from those of any other religion. The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department administers 36,425 temples, 56 mutts, 47 temples belonging to mutts, 1721 specific endowments and 189 trusts. It claims to be supervising the “secular aspects” of these institutions, but it applies this policy to no other religion–only to Hindu religious institutions.
Only the apathy and ignorance of Hindus have enabled Tamil Nadu’s government–encouraged by Christian missionaries and agencies–to assume this control.
Around 1840, the then British Government started asking prominent mutts in Tamil Nadu to look after certain important temples and endowments. The heads of these mutts were careful to get written documents or “Muchalikas” from the British Government, which assured them that they would not take back the temples from the mutts.
The mutts ran these temples ably and efficiently. Funds meant for the upkeep of temples and conducting of rituals were properly utilized, thus supporting worship, the primary purpose. But thousands of other temples were handed over to the respective trustees, with the government providing little or no superivision.
In 1925, the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1923 (Act I of 1925) was passed by the local Legislature with the object of providing for better governance and administration of certain Hindu religious endowments. This Act was amended many times–systematically consolidating the government’s power to take over and administer Hindu temples–even before Independence. After Independence, the Act was widely expanded.
Hindus should remember that it is not the duty of a secular government to manage the affairs of Hindu temples or institutions, particularly when the same government keeps away from mosques and churches. Hindus should join together and petition the government and the courts to bring back outside agencies to audit the HR & CE Dept. Hindus should take legal action against the government to restore the temples back to the trustees or to appropriate Hindu associations.
The article at source is much longer and more detailed; click for a full read. It includes an enlightening section on “What Hindus Should Do Now” to counter the encroachment of the government in religious affairs.