CHENNAI, INDIA, September 12, 2013 (by B. Sivakumar, TNN): A circular was sent to all temple executives advising them not to rent out properties to non-believers. The circular also banned renting out of temple property for functions in which liquor and non-vegetarian food are served. This move by the State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has atheists and rationalists up in arms.
“The properties might be owned by the temples but ultimately the government is the custodian of all properties and should be available to all. The order should be revoked immediately,” Dravida Kazhagam (DK) leader K Veeramani told TOI over the phone.
Justifying the circular, a senior official said, “As the property is in the name of a temple or its presiding Deity, we cannot allow meetings or gatherings that criticize religion or speak against the belief in God. Such meetings can be held in any other government or private property but not on a temple property. This goes against religious ethos.” The circular specifies that the property either on the temple premises or outside it should be rented out only for religious discourses or for any other spiritual purpose only.