'Hindus only' job advertisement creates uproar in Tamil Nadu

The advertisement said that only Hindus need to apply for the posts, which has led to a major uproar

An advertisement issued by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) department inviting “only Hindus” to apply for teaching posts in a newly-established college in Chief Minister M K Stalin’s Kolathur constituency has sparked a row.

The advertisement issued in all major local dailies for the post of assistant professors in various departments for the Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Arts and Science College for a walk-in interview on October 18 said only Hindus can apply for the vacancies.

The college, which will function from a school campus in Kolathur till a new building is constructed, is one of the 10 colleges that the HR & CE department has promised to establish in the next year. The advertisement issued by the department is now being opposed by many, including supporters of DMK, who seek to know why only Hindus are allowed to apply for teaching positions.

Read more: Religion and science in ‘New India’

Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani, who shares an excellent rapport with DMK and Stalin, termed the advertisement as “unconstitutional” and asked the state government to rectify the “mistake”. While welcoming the move by the HR & CE department to launch colleges, Veeramani said since the advertisement is for professors for an institution, it should be open for all.

“Only Hindus may be applicable for the posts of priests and other positions in temples. But it will not apply for teaching positions. Even if one goes to court tomorrow, this condition will be struck down. We are bringing this to the attention of the Chief Minister,” Veeramani said.

Efforts to reach HR & CE minister P K Sekarbabu and Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran failed. However, officials justified the condition citing Section 10 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959.

“The Commissioner, every Deputy or Assistant Commissioner and every other officer or servant appointed to carry out the purposes of this Act, by whomsoever appointed, shall be a person professing the Hindu religion, and shall cease to hold office as such when he ceases to profess that religion,” the Section 10 of the Act says.

A former HR & CE official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told DH that the advertisement mentioning only Hindus was right and there was nothing wrong. “If one goes by the HR & CE Act, revenue from temples should be spent only on Hindus. Since the college is run by a temple and salaries for the staff will be paid from the temple revenue, the condition of Hindus only cannot be criticised. This will not affect students as they don’t get paid,” he said.

Villupuram MP and general secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, a DMK ally, D Ravikumar said the government should continue to open more such colleges under the aegis of the HR & CE department. “As far as the appointments are concerned, they should be made strictly under the law. The HR & CE department should launch medical colleges and hospitals as well to serve the poor,” Ravikumar told DH.

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