CHENNAI: Expressing concern over temples losing their identity when the executive officers (EO), without a thorough knowledge of their customs and rituals, are appointed the fit person, the Madras High Court recently directed the HR&CE department to avoid making such appointments.
Justice Krishnan Ramasamy issued the direction while hearing a petition filed by R Tamilarasu of Kottiyal in Ariyalur, challenging the HR&CE department’s July 10, 2026, order to appoint the EO as the fit person to manage the affairs of the Mariamman temple instead of the trustees.
The judge noted that the court had made it clear, in several cases, that appointment of EOs as fit person is not proper because the office of fit person is not mere formality. The fit person rather steps into the shoes of the trustee or dharma karta of the temple.
Stating that the fit person may not be well acquainted with the customs and usages of a temple, the judge said when such a person does not conduct the religious affairs in the traditional manner, the customs gradually disappear over a period of time. “This, ultimately, results in the temple losing the identity,” he remarked.
“A fit person should preferably be one who is knowledgeable in the religious affairs of the temple concerned and devote more time to look after its affairs,” the judge said.
Pointing out the “religious” functions of the dharma karta, the judge said under the HR&CE Act, the EO is appointed mainly to manage the “secular” and “financial” affairs of the temple; he is neither expected nor equipped to look after the religious affairs.
The department shall hence choose a person from the local community with knowledge on the religious affairs of the temple to be appointed as the fit person until the trustees are appointed. In case there are no such persons, then the EO may be appointed as fit person for a temporary period, he added.
Further, he directed the local residents, if eligible, to apply for the post of fit person, adding that the authorities shall consider their application.
