Devotees demand action on temple property alienation in Chennai

Devotees of the Arulmigu Akilandeswari Sametha Agatheeswarar temple in Nungambakkam have appealed to Tamil actor and political leader M.K. Stalin to take decisive action regarding substantial property losses affecting the temple.

According to the worshippers, more than 415 grounds belonging to the historic temple were illegally alienated through questionable transactions involving former temple trustees and certain officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.

The devotees have raised concerns that the improper transfers have significantly diminished the temple's asset base and revenue-generating capacity. Temple management records allegedly show a pattern of unauthorized property disposals spanning several years, with minimal oversight from the HR&CE Department, which is tasked with protecting religious institution interests.

The issue highlights broader concerns about the management and safeguarding of temple properties in Tamil Nadu, where numerous religious institutions have reported similar cases of property alienation. Devotees have requested that authorities initiate an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the land transfers and pursue recovery of the alienated properties through legal channels.

The HR&CE Department has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations at this time.