**Government Order on Temple Funds for Marriage Halls Overturned by Court**
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has invalidated a government directive that allowed the use of temple funds for constructing marriage halls. The court ruled that these funds cannot be classified as public or government money. A division bench comprising Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice G Arul Murugan emphasized that donations and properties given to temples are owned by the deity, making the deity the legitimate owner of such assets.
The judges highlighted that temples are not profit-driven entities and that their funds should be utilized strictly for the statutory purposes defined in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Act. While the Act grants the government oversight of Hindu religious institutions, it mandates that temple funds be allocated solely for religious activities as intended by the devotees or donors. The court stated that contributions should be directed towards temple festivals, maintenance, or development, rather than for non-religious endeavors.
The bench remarked, “Any attempt by the government to misuse temple funds through an expanded interpretation is unacceptable and infringes upon the fundamental right of Hindus to practice their religion.” This ruling comes in response to HR & CE Minister PK Sekar Babu’s announcement in the assembly regarding the construction of marriage halls in 27 temples at a projected cost of Rs 80 crore. The court’s decision quashed this government order, asserting that such a diversion of temple funds is impermissible.
In conclusion, the court’s ruling reinforces the principle that temple funds must be preserved for their intended religious purposes, safeguarding the rights of devotees and maintaining the sanctity of religious institutions.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the recent ruling by the Madras High Court regarding temple funds?**
A: The Madras High Court ruled that temple funds cannot be used for constructing marriage halls, emphasizing that such funds belong to the deity and must be used solely for religious purposes.