DMK Government Under Fire: Temple Mismanagement, Encroachments, and Anti-Hindu Remarks Spark Outrage

The DMK government in Tamil Nadu, now in its fourth year in power, is facing mounting criticism over alleged temple mismanagement, misuse of assets, and anti-Hindu remarks by its leaders. Hindu organisations, opposition parties, and devotees have intensified protests, accusing the government of undermining religious sentiments and failing in temple administration.

Crumbling Temples – Devotees Express Anguish

Tamil Nadu is home to 44,121 temples, many of them centuries old and integral to India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. However, several temples are reportedly in a state of neglect.

• The Selva Vinayagar Temple in Palakkarai, for example, has not had a Kumbabhishekam (consecration ceremony) for over 30 years.


• At pilgrimage hubs like Thiruvannamalai and Thiruchendur, devotees complain about long waits, lack of drinking water, toilets, and shaded rest areas.


• Devotees allege that despite the official darshan fee being free or ?50, some demand up to ?1,000 for quick entry, raising calls for regulated, transparent tiered darshan systems.

Temple Assets Misuse – Encroachments on Sacred Land

Temples collectively own 4.78 lakh acres of land and over 22,600 buildings. Yet, between July 2022 and March 2023, rent collection was just ?117.63 crore, highlighting possible mismanagement and revenue leakage.

• Historic temples like Sri Varaguna Pandeeswarar and Sri Nellaiappar in Tirunelveli have reportedly lost thousands of acres to encroachers.


• Shockingly, even government departments are accused of occupying temple lands illegally.


• A former police officer, Pon Manickavel, revealed that priests at the Pullamangai Temple in Thanjavur earn as little as ?300 per month, exposing serious financial negligence.

Even the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) slammed the HR&CE department for waste of resources and lack of transparency in asset documentation.

Controversial DMK Leaders’ Remarks Fuel Anger

Alongside administrative failures, remarks by senior DMK leaders have further inflamed Hindu sentiments.

• Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin sparked nationwide outrage by comparing Sanatana Dharma to “dengue and malaria,” calling for its eradication.


• DMK MP A Raja called Hinduism a “global threat” and blamed it for systemic caste and economic inequalities.


• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin mocked Sanskrit chants, saying that “understanding them would make one tremble,” which angered religious groups.

These statements are widely seen as an attack on Hindu culture and beliefs, worsening tensions between the government and religious organisations.

Growing Protests – Strong Reactions from Religious Leaders

• Influential religious mutts, including the Madurai Aadheenam, have condemned the government, accusing it of trying to erode Hindu traditions.


• Widespread public protests are being organised across the state.


• Opposition parties are seizing the opportunity, projecting DMK as anti-Hindu in their campaigns.

Political Fallout – A Brewing Flashpoint in Tamil Nadu

Temple management and religious sensitivity have now become a major political flashpoint in Tamil Nadu. With rising pressure from devotees, opposition parties, and spiritual leaders, the DMK government faces serious credibility challenges.

As the 2026 state elections approach, issues of temple preservation, transparency in revenue, and respect for religious traditions are expected to dominate the political discourse—posing a direct test for DMK’s governance and public image.