In India, the administration of Hindu temples often falls under state government departments, such as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department in Tamil Nadu and the Endowment (Muzrai) Department in Karnataka. Over the years, several instances of financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in temple fund administration have come to light.
Tamil Nadu:
HR&CE Department's Non-Cooperation with Audits
In December 2024, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India criticized Tamil Nadu's HR&CE Department for obstructing audits of temple assets and records. The department, responsible for managing thousands of temples, withheld crucial documents, impeding efforts to identify potential revenue leakages. Despite the CAG's attempts to conduct a special audit covering 2019 to 2022, the HR&CE Department contested the CAG's jurisdiction over religious institutions. This non-cooperation raised concerns about financial mismanagement within the department.
Karnataka: Allegations of Fund Misuse
In November 2024, the Karnataka government faced allegations from political parties regarding the misuse of funds belonging to Hindu temples under its Endowment Department. In response, the state decided to publicly disclose audit reports of major temples to enhance transparency. These reports are expected to detail revenue, expenses, and fund allocation for approximately 207 A-category and 139 B-category temples. The move aims to address concerns about fund diversion and mismanagement.
Uttar Pradesh: Embezzlement in Mathura Temple
In May 2019, the Daan-Ghati temple committee in Mathura's Govardhan area alleged that an assistant manager embezzled over ₹10.74 crore of temple funds. The committee approached the State Human Rights Commission after local authorities failed to take action. The commission issued notices to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, seeking explanations for the lack of criminal proceedings in the case.
Audit Exposes Financial Impropriety in Temple Renovations
An audit report from November 2016 exposed financial impropriety in the renovation of 13 ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. The report accused these temples of misusing central government funds allocated for renovation, repair, and maintenance by engaging in new constructions and reconstructions, contrary to the intended purpose of the grants. The audit highlighted lapses in financial propriety and control over expenditure, raising concerns about the management of temple funds.
These instances underscore the need for enhanced transparency, accountability, and regular audits in the management of temple funds across India to prevent financial mismanagement and ensure that the resources are utilized for their intended purposes.
In India, the management and control of religious institutions vary significantly across different faiths, leading to disparities in how donations are utilized.
Government Control of Hindu Temples
Many Hindu temples are administered by state governments through bodies like the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. This governmental oversight extends to the collection and allocation of temple funds. For instance, in Tamil Nadu, approximately 400,000 out of 900,000 temples are under government control, whereas there is not a single church or mosque-related religious body where any control or interference of the government is seen.
Autonomy of Other Religious Institutions
In contrast, religious institutions such as churches, mosques, and gurdwaras generally enjoy autonomy in managing their affairs and finances. For example, the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925 establishes a National Board that oversees the functioning of Gurdwara Management Committees, allowing for self-governance within the Sikh community.
Implications for Donors
This disparity means that donations made to Hindu temples may be subject to government control and allocation, potentially diverting funds away from the temple's intended purposes. In contrast, contributions to churches, mosques, or gurdwaras are typically managed internally by the respective religious communities, ensuring that the funds are used in accordance with the donors' intentions.
This situation has led to calls for reforms to grant Hindu temples similar autonomy, allowing for self-governance and ensuring that donations are utilized as intended by the devotees.
For a more in-depth discussion on this topic, you may find the following video informative:
