The controversy surrounding the Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Thirupparankundram in Madurai has taken a new turn with a plea in the Supreme Court praying for the “takeover and control” of the temple by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). But, about 25 years ago, a well-intentioned initiative of the ASI to “take over and control” the Chola-period Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai, about 200 km west of Chennai, ended in failure.
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and Rules do not permit the ASI to take over or control any temple. At most, the agency can declare a temple a “monument of national importance” and designate areas near a protected monument as prohibited (up to 100 meters) or regulated (up to 200 meters) for the purposes of mining operations and construction.
