Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker reaffirms HR&CE's control over temples in the state
Referring to the resolution passed at the recently held Lord Murugan conference, which demanded HR&CE department to hand over administration of all temples to an independent board, he said, 'Even after gaining independence, there existed a deplorable situation in Hindu temples, where people other than the 10% upper caste Hindus were not allowed entry. That is why the government has intervened and formed the HR&CE department and declared that everyone is equal, ensuring that all people could walk on temple streets and enter temples.'
Mr. Appavu added that because of this inclusive approach, the HR&CE department is now being successfully run by the government for the self respect of the remaining 90% Hindus.
He criticised those who believe the HR&CE department could be evicted from the temple administration and handed over to the 10% of the upper caste Hindus, as was the situation in the past. 'That will never happen in Tamil Nadu,' he asserted.
He further remarked, 'They (the BJP government) have completed 10 years of their tenure and during that time, they have already privatised harbours, airports and airlines across the country.' Now they are daydreaming about privatising the ancient and historically rich temples under the HR&CE department, he added.
Mr. Appavu asserted that the people of Tamil Nadu will never accept such a move, nor will they accept anyone who comes with such ideology.
He also expressed his disappointment that, at the very least a resolution was not passed to mandate that pujas in all Lord Murugan temples be performed in Tamil, given that Lord Murugan is considered a Tamil deity. 'But they will never accept Tamil,' remarked Mr. Appavu.
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