Chennai: Ruling party functionaries and prominent local figures are showing strong interest in securing trustee positions in more than 200 key temples across Tamil Nadu, according to reports.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department recently issued an official notification to fill vacant trustee posts in 214 major temples and 27 temples under special administrative schemes.
With the trustee role seen as both a spiritual responsibility and a marker of social standing, interest is said to span from local-level party office-bearers to district-level VIPs. The attention is particularly focused on ‘A grade’ temples with annual income exceeding Rs 10 lakh, as the appointment is viewed as bringing significant local influence and prestige.
While applications are being received online as per HR&CE rules, it is alleged that a separate list is being prepared to ensure preferred candidates get appointed. It is also said the ruling party plans to nominate the mandatory woman member and a member from the Scheduled Castes category for trustee committees.
Devotees have urged that applicants should have genuine spiritual commitment and no criminal background, as required by norms. They warned that if appointments are driven purely by politics, temple sanctity and spiritual values could be affected, and called on the government to select only qualified and sincere devotees.
