The petition demanded action against three individuals involved in illegal activities that went against the norm of the Vellingiri temple located in Poondi, Coimbatore.
Coimbatore:On behalf of the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK), Senthil Kumar alias Sivanadiar resorted to blowing a conch to highlight his petition being filed at the District Collector's Office. The petition alleged that three persons who were not approved by the Government as priests were engaging in illegal activities against temple norms at the Velliangiri Temple in the Poondi area of Coimbatore district.
“When I enquired under the RTI Act about the number of people who should be employed at the Velliangiri temple as priests, I came to know that only three priests must be appointed as per Government norms. But, in addition to the three people appointed by the Government, there are three other people, namely Nagaraj, Krishnan and his son who have no right to be there. They are causing a huge loss of about 18 crores to the Government. I filed a complaint with the Collectorate but no action has been taken, and so this time I decided to blow a conch and file a petition. If no action is being taken again, I will not hesitate to file a case with the Supreme Court on the basis of public welfare. The officials of The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu who are responsible for the temple’s affairs are also aware of the illegal activities that take place there. They are but co-perpetrators. A few days ago, when the Minister of Hindu Religious Affairs visited the temple, the priests who are not recognized by the Government also paid their respects to him,” alleged Senthil Kumar.
“When I enquired under the RTI Act about the number of people who should be employed at the Velliangiri temple as priests, I came to know that only three priests must be appointed as per Government norms. But, in addition to the three people appointed by the Government, there are three other people, namely Nagaraj, Krishnan and his son who have no right to be there. They are causing a huge loss of about 18 crores to the Government. I filed a complaint with the Collectorate but no action has been taken, and so this time I decided to blow a conch and file a petition. If no action is being taken again, I will not hesitate to file a case with the Supreme Court on the basis of public welfare. The officials of The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu who are responsible for the temple’s affairs are also aware of the illegal activities that take place there. They are but co-perpetrators. A few days ago, when the Minister of Hindu Religious Affairs visited the temple, the priests who are not recognized by the Government also paid their respects to him,” alleged Senthil Kumar.