T.N. Minister Rebuts Palaniswami’s Comments on HR&CE Schools

Swift Summary:

• Tamil Nadu HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu criticized AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) for questioning the use of temple funds to run educational institutions.
• Mr.Sekarbabu stated that over 22,450 students are studying in 25 schools,one polytechnic,adn nine arts and science colleges administered by the HR&CE department.
• Under the DMK government, ₹132 crore has been spent on improving infrastructure such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and auditoriums in these institutions.
• Four of the ten proposed new colleges have been inaugurated despite legal hurdles; around 2,500 economically disadvantaged students benefit from them.
• The minister emphasized that education has historically been supported with temple resources (e.g., Chola-era evidence) and cited legislative authority under the HR&CE Act to manage such initiatives.
• He noted that previous governments-AIADMK included-also allocated temple funds for educational progress.

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Indian opinion Analysis:

The debate over using temple funds for public welfare initiatives touches upon cultural traditions and administrative accountability. P.K. Sekarbabu’s defense contextualizes this practice within Tamil Nadu’s historical legacy of temples sponsoring education-a fact supported by inscriptions like those from the Chola period. His remarks linking past AIADMK government’s similar practices suggest continuity rather than drastic deviation under current policies.

From a governance perspective,clarity in fund allocation is key to quelling criticism about resource mismanagement while ensuring marginalized communities benefit equitably from these initiatives. If implemented effectively without undermining customary religious purposes or infringing on contentious issues of faith vs state interventionism-such programs could provide meaningful social impact through education accessibility.

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