ICT challenges TN Govt’s decision to melt Temple gold

ICT challenges TN Govt’s decision to melt Temple gold

Indic Collective through its president, Shri T.R. Ramesh, filed a PIL in the Madras High Court challenging certain announcements made in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, of melting temple jewelry into gold bars as part of reviving the Gold Monetisation Scheme. First notification to this effect was issued by the Principal Secretary, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department on September 9, 2021 followed by a notification of September 22, 2021 issued by the Commissioner, TNHRCE. The Commissioner had instructed all temple authorities to melt the gold, substantially all the offerings made to the individual temples over the last ten years.

 

Our petition contends that in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, decisions pertaining to the administration and properties of any temple have to be primarily taken by the trustees and that the Commissioner and the Fit Person appointed by the government have limited or supervisory roles in such matters. Even though, the Commissioner of TNHRCE has the authority to permit such action, it is not open to the Commissioner to decide suo motu as to what valuables or properties of a temple may be preserved and what shall be disposed of. The Hon’ble Court allowed inventory of the gold but halted the melting of the same and any such further decisions until trustees are installed at each of these temples. The State government was asked to file a counter-affidavit.

 

ICT’s PIL, Hon’ble High Court’s Order (28.10.2021) and the Counter-Affidavit filed by the Tamil Nadu State Government on 16.12.2021 are available from the links below.

 

ICT Writ_Temple Gold Melting Case

InterimOrder_28.10.21

Counter affidavit state_16Dec’21

 

 

 

Post a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Bitnami