The administration of Ayodhya Mandapam at West Mambalam in Chennai was taken over by the Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) only after the order of the Madras High Court, HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu said in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to BJP member Vanathi Srinivasan (Coimbatore South), who raised the issue, Mr. Sekarbabu said a judgment was being awaited in the case on Tuesday, and action would be taken as per the ruling and the rules of the Department in consultation with the Chief Minister.
Mr. Sekarbabu also pointed out that last month, the High Court dismissed a plea to quash an order of the HR&CE Department to take over Ayodhya Mandapam managed by Sri Ram Samaj. Listing certain activities of the Samaj, he said a “group functioning there is financially exploiting the devotees”.
