Temple funds restricted

New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that donations given by devotees to temples are not meant for constructing marriage halls. It refused to stay a Madras High Court order which ruled that temple funds cannot be used as government or public money for commercial purposes.

The Madurai bench of the High Court had struck down government orders allowing funds from five Tamil Nadu temples to build marriage halls for rental purposes. The court said using temple money for weddings does not qualify as a “religious purpose.”

Hearing pleas against this decision, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed, “Devotees do not offer their money to the temple for setting up these marriage halls. Donations are meant for the maintenance and improvement of the temple.” The bench also questioned whether marriage parties with inappropriate songs could be considered a proper use of temple land and suggested such funds be used for charitable purposes like education and healthcare.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and other lawyers represented the petitioners. The bench said the matter involves examining whether the government’s decision was correct and posted the case for full hearing on November 19.

The issue arose after the government announced it would spend Rs 80 crore to construct marriage halls in 27 temples. Petitioners argued that temple funds cannot be used for commercial purposes under Sections 35, 36, and 66 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959. The state, however, said constructing halls would help Hindus perform marriages at lower costs, considering it a religious activity.