HR&CE seals 23 houses at Vennaimalai; AIADMK, Congress cadres join residents’ protest

Amid protests by AIADMK and Congress cadres, as well as the affected residents, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department on Thursday (November 20, 2025) sealed 23 houses that were reportedly built on the lands of the Balasubramaniaswamy Temple at Vennaimalai.

Claiming that the lands on which more than 1,000 houses and commercial buildings were constructed at Vennaimalai and nearby areas belonged to the temple, HR&CE officials led by Assistant Commissioner M. Ramanikanthan, accompanied by a posse of police personnel, assembled at Chinna Vadugapatty to seal some of the properties.

The move was met with strong objection from the residents, who claimed that they had documents and certificates issued by the Revenue Department and were the legal owners of the land. They contended that it was wrong to allege that they had encroached on temple property, saying they had been in possession of their respective plots for several decades.

Despite the protests, the officials began sealing the houses, which were reportedly rented out by Kannammal, a long-time resident of the area. Four members of her family, protesting against the action, threatened to immolate themselves. However, the police thwarted their attempt and took them into custody. Some protesters also entered into heated arguments with the officials and strongly opposed the move. The officials, however, managed to seal 23 houses.

AIADMK, Congress leaders arrested

As a mark of solidarity with the residents, who had organised several protests against the HR&CE officials whenever eviction notices were issued, AIADMK cadres led by former Ministers M.R. Vijayabaskar and M. Chinnasamy, Congress workers led by Karur MP S. Jothimani, and members of other parties joined the protest and staged a road roko. The police swung into action and arrested Ms. Jothimani, Mr. Vijayabaskar, Mr. Chinnasamy and many others.

A large number of people also resorted to a road roko near Vennaimalai on the busy Karur-Namakkal Highway. They raised slogans against the State government for failing to address their grievances. On receiving information, the police rushed to the spot and held negotiations with the protesters. However, they refused to withdraw the protest, following which the police arrested all of them. Traffic on the highway was disrupted for more than 30 minutes due to the agitation.

According to police sources, more than 400 persons were arrested at the three protest sites. Most of them were released in the afternoon.

HR&CE officials said that the eviction drive, which has been carried out in a phased manner since last November, was based on an order of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The drive was launched after contempt of court proceedings were initiated for failing to implement the order.