HC orders notice on plea alleging construction of church on temple land

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court had ordered notice to the Tamil Nadu government as well as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) to file their response on a plea alleging that churches and crematoriums were constructed on temples’ land in Andimadam Taluk of Ariyalur district.

The first bench of Acting Chief Justice M Duraiswamy and Justice Sunder Mohan passed the directions on hearing the petition filed by C Subramaniam, a resident of Salakkarai Village in Andimadam Taluk, Ariyalur district.

The petitioner prayed for a direction to HR&CE Commissioner and Ariyalur district collector to consider his representation seeking an action to remove the encroachments made on Rettai Pillaiyar Temple pond, Sri Sarveswaran, and Ayyanar Temple lands by private people.

According to the petitioner, originally the revenue records stated the lands measuring around 3 hectares in Varadharajanpettai Town Panchayat and 80 Ares in Andimadam Taluk as temple lands. However, now the same land has been mutated into poramboke lands, Subramaniam said in his petition.

“Some people associated with Christianity have made constructions on the said temple lands. Churches and crematoriums have been built on the temple lands. As many people in our Salakkarai village are converting to Christianity and disturbing prayer in the temple, it often disturbs the tranquility in the village, ” the petitioner said.

Recording the submissions, the judges directed the State Revenue Department and HR&CE to file a counter. The matter has been adjourned for two weeks.