Subramanian Swamy cautions Chief Minister M K Stalin of contempt of court if Govt. meddles in temple affairs

Swamy points out that the Tamil Nadu govt’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department is violating Articles 25 and 26, by meddling in the administration of temples

Swamy points out that the Tamil Nadu govt’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department is violating Articles 25 and 26, by meddling in the administration of temples
Swamy points out that the Tamil Nadu govt’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department is violating Articles 25 and 26, by meddling in the administration of temples

Dr. Subramanian Swamy’s stern warning to Stalin on the temple ruling; says will take legal steps if…

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy cautioned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on proceeding with contempt of court charges for holding government control and taking over temples in violation of the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment against government controls on temples. In his letter on Thursday, Swamy pointed out that the Tamil Nadu government’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR & CE) is totally violating Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, by meddling in the administration of temples.

“I write this letter to bring to your attention the plight of Hindu temples and religious institutions in the State of Tamil Nadu, due to long years of control of the government and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (“HR & CE”), which is against Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.

“In 2014, I successfully argued a case before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, wherein the Tamil Nadu government was the Respondent. In its landmark judgment, reported as Subramanian Swamy v State of Tamil Nadu, (2014) 5 SCC 75, the Supreme Court declared that no religious functions of a temple can be taken over by any government. If there is financial mismanagement in a temple, the financial and connected secular activities of the temple can be taken over to remedy the financial mismanagement, but only for a limited period. In this regard I draw your attention to Paragraphs No. 64, 65, 66, 67, and 68 of the said judgment, which settle the issue with ample clarity,” said Swamy in his letter to Chief Minister M K Stalin.

In 2014, Supreme Court in a landmark judgment on a petition filed by Subramanian Swamy ordered the freeing of the famous Nataraja Temple from the State’s control. The apex court ordered that the temple administration has to be done by priests and not a government function.[1]

“I, therefore, bring to your notice that the State government has to comply with the ruling of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and thus free Hindu temples and Religious Institutions from the control of the State government. As Chief Minister you are required to take the said action to free temples immediately, failing which I am entitled to take legal proceedings against the Government of Tamil Nadu in the nature of Contempt of the Supreme Court,” said Subramanian Swamy cautioning the Chief Minister.

Later Subramanian Swamy tweeted with a letter to Chief Minister M K Stalin: “The CM should act according to the Constitution in this matter and the Supreme Court judgment in Sabanayagar Nataraja Temple case”.

Reference:

[1] Nataraja temple to be managed by priest not by Tamil Nadu govtJan 6, 2014, Business Standard

PGurus is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with all the latest news and views

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

We are a team of focused individuals with expertise in at least one of the following fields viz. Journalism, Technology, Economics, Politics, Sports & Business. We are factual, accurate and unbiased.
Team PGurus

2 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here