VSK TN
A circular is issued by Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments department Principal Secretary / Commissioner Shri Paneendra Reddy to EOs, Joint / Assistant Commissioners of a few select Hindu temples.
The circular has categorized the revenue yielding temples into 3 and asked them to allot a sum of Rs 35 L, Rs 25 L and Rs 15 L respectively from their “surplus” funds to Chief Minister’s Relief Fund by today (April 24) evening. The target amount to be given to CM Relief Fund from all these temples is fixed at Rs 10 Crores.
The circular says the funds will be utilized to provide relief to people who are rendered jobless and incomeless due to lockdown.
This news has shocked the conscience of Hindus in Tamil Nadu.
The motive and timing of this move evokes a lot of questions in the minds of Hindus. What is the necessity for the government to divert funds from Hindu temples to CM Relief Fund? Whether government is testing the waters by diverting a portion of funds from Hindu temples to government kitty during the crisis to take a much larger decision with regard to funds from Hindu temples, later on?
There are scores of priests and workers in thousands of Hindu Temples (not under the control of HR&CE, who are struggling to meet their ends due to lock-down. Is not an agency like HR&CE duty bound to give them a helping hand? The presumption of “surplus” in major Hindu temple funds is eminently flawed. The funds are in fact the kanikkai of devout Hindus.
Under the circumstances, the HR&CE should immediately withdraw the circular, as demanded by Hindu organisations including the Hindu Munnani. Hindus could not be blamed if they take to legal option.
If at all funds from Hindu temples are diverted, the same should be utilised to provide meals to poor devotees 3 times a day by preparing in the temple kitchen and get it delivered to the needy. In this context, the Hindu organisations remind the government of the latter’s forsaken scheme of Annadaanam in temples.
Temples in Tamilnadu are also closed for public worship due to the Corona pandemic. Thus, the temple Poojaries and lakhs of others whose livelihoods are based on the Temple is very much affected. Therefore rice, groceries, and necessary healthcare kit can be provided to them this pandemic. But no such initiatives were taken from Tamilnadu Government.
Whereas the Tamilnadu State Government has announced to deliver 5,450 tonnes of raw rice to 2,895 mosques across the State for the Ramzan celebration and the mosques will distribute the rice directly among beneficiaries at their homes.
Will HR &CE department heed to the voice of peace loving Hindus ?