The sacred halls of the Sridevi Periyapalayathamman Temple in Meenambakkam have been shrouded in controversy as allegations of fund misappropriation, mismanagement, and undue political interference have surfaced. Concerned residents and devotees are demanding transparency and accountability as the temple’s affairs fall under the shadow of a particular political party, the DMK.

The temple, a 65-year-old institution with a century-long history in the village, has been traditionally managed and maintained by the local community and a dedicated committee. However, recent developments have raised doubts about the integrity of the temple’s financial records and the capability of the current committee.

Poor maintenance of the Sridevi Periyapalayathamman temple

Allegations have emerged that temple funds, such as revenue from donations, have not been adequately accounted for. Here are some pictures from the inside of the temple indicating poor maintenance.

Furthermore, it is quite clear from the pictures taken by a devotee that the temple is not being maintained adequately under the current committee’s leadership.

It is alleged that the temple committee comprising mainly of members from the ruling party in the state, viz., the secratary Mr. Rajamani, Treasurer S Kumar, along with other committee members P. Prabakaran, V Rangan, Hemaraj, who hold temporary authority sans the powers to oversee the temple’s operations are allegedly misappropriating the temple funds.
One significant concern is the interference of individuals from the Muslim community in the temple’s management, leading to disruptions during meetings and discussions regarding its administration.
The temple’s financial transparency has also come into question. The accounts reportedly fail to reflect the total donations and income received, creating suspicions of fund misappropriation. It is alleged that while the temple’s expenditures are prominently highlighted, there is no corresponding indication of the income or donations received by the temple. This discrepancy has led to concerns about the actual financial state of the institution.

Funds received for festivities at the Sridevi Periyapalayathamman temple

Local residents, who have taken on the responsibility of organising temple rituals and festivities, argue that the temple should have surplus funds. However, the official flyers distributed during the annual festival only display expenses, which are claimed to be inflated, raising doubts about the temple’s fiscal transparency.

In the pictures shared above, it is pretty clear that specific requirements are fulfilled by the devotees’ donations themselves when it comes to the festival. However, in the flyers shared by the committee, there is always a deficit despite the donations received, which raises questions about corruption and misappropriation.

TN HR & CE Dept response

When a devotee wrote to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (TNHRCE) department, they confirmed that the temple was under the purview of the local public. Moreover, they have acknowledged the allegations of fund misappropriation.

Below is the translated version of the response:

Sub: Petition to CM CELL no 5844152 regarding misappropriation of temple fund.

Sir, The Periyapalayathamman Temple at Kamarajar street Meenambakkam, Chennai is being maintained by the local public. We upon the complaint number 5844152 investigated the public about the mismanagement and misappropriation of funds by the temple committee and found that the temple is poorly maintained and the public confirmed the misappropriation of the temple fund by the sitting committee. Hence we have advised the temple committee to maintain the temple in a good manner and to show the account properly.

Thanks
Inspector TNHRCE TAMBARAM

The temple’s devotees have expressed their frustration, especially regarding the delayed Kumbhabhishekam ceremony, which has been pending for six years. In their quest for justice and accountability, they have lodged complaints with the local police and are even seeking intervention from higher government authorities.
This unsettling situation has raised questions about the management of this venerable institution and the interference of political parties in the administration of religious institutions.

As the devotees continue to seek answers and justice, the spotlight remains on the Sridevi Periyapalayathamman Temple, urging a resolution to these troubling allegations.