In the heart of Tamil Nadu, a silent controversy brews over the wealth of Sanatani temples. Hindu temples that once stood as spiritual centers are now becoming pawns in a state-run financial scheme. For a long time now, the Tamil Nadu HRCE has melted temple gold and converted it into monetary assets. But are these funds truly being used for the temples and devotees? Or has this wealth become a “secular” piggy bank for political interests?
Tamil Nadu HRCE and The Gold Monetisation Scheme
Madras High Court extracts undertaking from TN Govt that Temple Gold would NOT be melted without Trustees apnted to the Temples. Petitions filed by me for @indiccollective.ThKS to my counsel @jsaideepak's brilliant arguments and @niranjanlaw 's presentation. @Swamy39 @BJP4India pic.twitter.com/aqZCVD3m1F
— trramesh (@trramesh) October 28, 2021
Since 1979, the Tamil Nadu HRCE has melted temple gold. This gold is not the deity’s ornaments. It is the donated gold stored for 8-10 years in the vaults of the temple. However, the only trustee, under Rule 11 and 13, is allowed to redirect this gold for Gold Monetization Scheme. The melted gold is deposited into nationalized banks.
Thus, these sacred donations into “secular” 24K gold bars under the Gold Monetisation Scheme.
History of Tamil Nadu HRCE and Gold Melting!
This practice began with AIADMK’s CM M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). It was aimed at earning interest for the upkeep of the temple and its assets. However, it was met with intense resistance by the devotees as they felt the donations should not be treated as financial assets.
Why Hindu temples are under Govt control?
Reason : Tirupati temple, Tirumala
Gold Reserve – 8 Tons
Monthly Income – 200 Crore Rs.
Annual Budget – 3000 Crore Rs.
Fixed Deposits – 14,000 Crore Rs.This money must be utilized for hinduism and hindus welfare.#FreeHinduTemples pic.twitter.com/AKsJdln6y4
— Save Temples (@TheSaveTemples) January 22, 2021
The HRCE Gold Monetization Scheme was restarted under CM Jayalalitha in 2015. And it was revived in 2021 by CM Stalin’s DMK. However, this revival was again challenged in court till 2022. However, the wheels of time greased with money ensured that the temple donations were turned into assets of the Tamil Nadu polity! Latest news talks of 130 Kg of gold from 8 temples turned into gold bars by DMK government since 2021.
Daan Patra To Bank Vaults
Why do Hindus donate to state-owned temples? Your money is not going to Bhagwan; it's going to the state. They use it for governance. Either donate to self-governed mandirs or organisations that do community welfare, or help needy brethren near you. Bhagwan will be more pleased. pic.twitter.com/DyQNyHVUmU
— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) September 22, 2024
As per reports of 2021, 500 kg of temple gold has already been melted, with a plan to melt up to 2,137 kg. So far, this has generated Rs 4.31 crore annually in interests.
Many wonder if the profits are earmarked only for temple infrastructure. Additionally, serious doubts linger about the transparency of this process. A critical issue at hand is the maintenance of temple records. Numerous temples lack proper inventory management, raising suspicions about whether temple gold is being misappropriated or mismanaged.
Pazhani Murugan Temple –
TN Govt plays with gold, donated as a matter of faith by devotees.
1.They buy 10 Kgs gold in 2004 from Thiruthani Temple when stock was about 30 Kgs.
2. It is mystery why they withdrew 75 Kg gold, closing gold bond in 2007.
Gold gold gold
Will continue.. pic.twitter.com/Vk1tpDWYIM— Ramanan P Ranganathan (मैं हूं मोडी जी का परिवार) (@RamananPr) July 13, 2020
The cash ‘Dakshina’ in donation boxes along with the gold-turned-into-profits are a resource that makes HRCE a lucrative cash cow. Thereby, giving state governments a grey area regarding the actual use of these funds. Without strict boundaries, it becomes plausible that the wealth could be used for other government welfare schemes, bypassing religious purposes entirely.
Is Melting Temple Golds Legal Under Tamil Nadu HRCE Laws?
Legally, the HRCE Act itself provides the Tamil Nadu government with the authority to manage temple assets. There are no criteria for the usage of the funds to be used only for Hindu or Temple-related activities. However, critics argue that the spirit of the law is being misused. The HRCE is meant to preserve and protect temple properties, yet the monetization of gold raises concerns about whether the government’s interference in temples allows easy embezzling of Hindu funds.
Temples under the control of the HRCE do not have the same autonomy as mosques and churches, which manage their own assets without any state oversight.
While the government claims that this gold monetization scheme is within the legal framework, the inability to track the donations and the lack of transparency places the HRCE actions in questionable zones of functioning. Firstly, it is almost impossible for anyone to verify how many funds or gold were donated in actuality. Additionally, it is difficult to ensure that these funds are indeed serving Hindu religious purposes only. Thus, many wonder if the funds are being funneled into state projects of the ruling government!
Financial Freedom: Churches and Mosques vs Temples
While temples are subjected to HRCE control, mosques and churches in Tamil Nadu enjoy full autonomy. They retain ownership of their lands, manage their donations, and are even eligible for government grants, salaries, and pensions. In stark contrast, Hindu temples must surrender all their wealth to the state under the pretext of “secular” governance. This discrepancy has sparked widespread frustration, as many feel that Sanatani donations are not being honored for the religious causes they were intended to support.
The Tirupati Tirumala Laddu controversy and the history of temple Gold Monetization Scheme only strengthen the case for freeing Hindu temples from government control.
The religious sentiments and Shraddha-Bhav of devotees play an important role in the temple system. Hence, wealth donated by devotees should be used for religious causes, such as temple upkeep, festivals, and spiritual activities. They are not meant as a “piggy bank” for secular government programs.
Devotees donate with the intent to support their faith, yet these funds risk being siphoned into political projects with little accountability.
Moreover, the process of melting temple gold, a sacred offering from devotees, raises many ethical questions. In a society where religious institutions are meant to function autonomously, the state’s control over Hindu temple functioning and wealth seems to contradict secular principles. It is high time to rethink the HRCE’s role and restore autonomy to temple management. The gold offerings made by Sanatanis should be used exclusively for Sanatani purposes, just as the wealth of other religious groups is respected and retained within their communities.
A Call for Transparency and Religious Autonomy
The Tamil Nadu government’s approach to temple wealth under the HRCE Department suffers scrutiny and critique. However, it is not the only place where temple gold gets turned into gold bars! So why the deep distrust? The central government also allows the Gold Monetization Scheme for temples in other states. However, the money generated by Non-HRCE temples is in direct control of the board of devotees, not the state government. Thus, the state government’s claim to managing assets on behalf of the Hindus must be balanced against Hindu community’s right to self-governance.
With thousands of kilograms of temple gold at stake, the demand for transparency and religious freedom has never been stronger.
Sanatani devotees deserve answers on how much gold was donated. And how the gold they donate to temples is being used! Until temples are freed from government control, this question will continue to haunt Tamil Nadu’s spiritual landscape. Thus, the path forward is clear – if temples remain in government hands, the sanctity of the Hindu faith and Temple ecosystem will always be polluted by profit margins and political appeasement!