The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition that challenged the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to start colleges using funds from temples administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
The case related to a government order issued on October 6, 2021 by the Higher Education Department, permitting self-financing arts and science colleges under temple administration. The proposed institutions were linked to the funds of Kapaleeswarar Temple (Mylapore, Chennai) for Kolathur, Palani Dhandayuthapani Temple for Ottanchathiram, Tiruchendur Subramaniyaswamy Temple for Vilathikulam, and Tiruchengode Arthanareeswarar Temple for Tiruchengode.
Petitioner T.R. Ramesh of Mylapore sought to quash the order, alleging that the required procedures under the HR&CE law were not followed and that temple funds should not be used without adhering to statutory norms.
During the hearing before a bench of Justices G. Jayachandran and E. Manoharan, HR&CE counsel informed the court that colleges had been set up in Kolathur and Ottanchathiram and that three batches of students had already completed their studies. The colleges at Tiruchengode and Vilathikulam, however, are yet to be established, and Hindu religious studies are being conducted in the operational institutions.
After hearing both sides, the court held that temple funds can be used for education and dismissed the petition. It also observed that if additional funds are required to build colleges at Vilathikulam and Tiruchengode, the government may be approached for assistance, and that any use of surplus temple funds must follow legal provisions.
