Hindu Munnani has asked the TVK administration to form a committee led by a Madras High Court judge to investigate the dispute involving 3,084.95 acres across 471 survey numbers in 15 villages connected to four temples in Karur district. The request follows a July 9 directive from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department instructing its Tiruppur Joint Commissioner to remove those survey numbers from the Prohibitory Module, which sparked political debate on July 10.
The lands were previously placed under registration restrictions at the request of temple officials. After private claimants submitted ownership documents, the Karur Collector advised lifting the bar. The directive affects only registration limits and does not settle ownership or grant titles. It was released one day before Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s scheduled Karur trip to distribute job offer letters to families affected by a stampede.
The move has drawn criticism from devotees and temple groups. The BJP, VHP and Hindu Munnani have opposed the order and provided detailed legal arguments. Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran and former MLA Vanathi Srinivasan questioned the rapid processing by the Karur Collector, Tiruppur Joint Commissioner and HR&CE Commissioner.
Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam stated that the decision has caused confusion among worshippers and urged the appointment of a judicial panel. He stressed that temple lands must remain protected while farmers’ interests are also considered.
Subramaniam distinguished between Inam and other land types, noting historical grants for religious, educational and social services. These include Deva Dhanam for temples, Brahmadeyam for Brahmins, Mutt Inam for religious institutions and Service Inam for village workers. He said the government holds title to Inam lands under current laws, yet eligible cultivators receive ryotwari pattas, and classification remains disputed.
The organisation called for maintaining the status quo, forming an independent judicial panel and protecting temple properties without harming farmers. Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathi condemned the July 9 order removing 471 survey numbers linked to temples including Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar, Balasubramaniya Swamy, Raveeswarar Swamy and Vikrutheeswarar from the Prohibitory Module.
