TN BJP chief Annamalai advocates temple autonomy

The second day of the International Temples Convention & Expo (ITCX) 2025 saw an impassioned address by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai, who underscored the need for temple autonomy to boost Bharat’s economic growth. He called for the abolition of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Act and advocated for a governance model inspired by successful autonomous temples.
Annamalai lauded ITCX and Temple Connect for their efforts in strengthening Sanatana Dharma across generations. He expressed his delight at the gathering, stating, “The Temple Connect programme last year in Varanasi and this year in Tirupati has successfully brought together swamijis, ‘adinams’, and gurus with enthusiastic youth eager to revitalise the temple economy and our traditions.”
Highlighting the economic significance of temples, he pointed out that the market valuation of the Tirumala temple alone is estimated at Rs 2.5 lakh crore, surpassing many national and international organisations.
Criticising the HR & CE Act, Annamalai argued that it restricts temples’ economic potential, which could otherwise benefit the national economy. “In our central manifesto, we promise to abolish the HR & CE Act if the NDA comes to power in Tamil Nadu,” he asserted.
He envisioned a future where, with divine blessings, the NDA could repeal this “illegal act,” freeing over 44,000 temples from government control. He emphasised that even underutilised temples could generate substantial revenue to support local schools, civic infrastructure, engineering colleges, and centres of excellence in science.
Annamalai also invoked the historical concept of “Dharamanomics”, referring to the advanced economic systems of the Chola kings. He stressed that temples should not only serve as spiritual hubs but also act as bridges between privileged and underprivileged communities, fostering social cohesion and strengthening Sanatana Dharma.
His address at ITCX 2025 outlined a vision of temples as engines of economic growth and cultural unity in India.