Senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, H Raja, has emphasized on the necessity of retrieving Hindu Temples from Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) department and claimed that interference in Hindu spiritual matters was on the rise. He also stressed the need to maintain the temples and its properties and generate revenues.
H Raja alleged that the HR & CE departments were not working efficiently enough to enhance the revenue of the Temples under their control and accused them of meddling in Hindu religious traditions. At a public meeting in Srirangam, he said, “The officials are supposed to maintain the temples and its properties and generate revenue, but they are interfering in spiritual affairs.”
The BJP leader also asserted that several complaints have been made against Executive Officers in Temples, however, no action has been taken against them by the authorities. H Raja has stated in the past as well that Temples should be free from government control.
There has been plenty of controversy in recent times surrounding government controlled Temples. Head Priest of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had accused the Temple administration of indulging in malpractice and corruption for which he was made to retire by the authorities. More recently, the keys of the treasury of Puri Jagannath Mandir had gone missing which had triggered a massive controversy.