Row over Appointment of Bhadrakali Temple Chairman
Speaking on the occasion, DPS state president Chikati Raju noted that the Sri Bhadrakali Temple, built by the Kakatiya kings.
Warangal: The members of the Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi (DPS) submitted a representation to district collector Sneha Shabarish, urging a thorough investigation into the appointment of Dr Siva Subramaniam as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the historic Sri Bhadrakali Temple in Hanamkonda, alleging violations of temple administration rules.
Speaking on the occasion, DPS state president Chikati Raju noted that the Sri Bhadrakali Temple, built by the Kakatiya kings, is registered under the Endowment Act and its daily affairs are overseen by the endowment department. He alleged that Dr Subramaniam’s father, the late B. S. Ganesh Rao, who served as an archaka, wrongfully claimed a house built on temple land as personal property. An April 2024 complaint and a subsequent investigation by the assistant commissioner found no official record of Ganesh Rao as a founder trustee, and a 1981 court judgment recognised him only as a hereditary archaka, not a trustee.
Raju also pointed out that the 1991 appointment of Dr Subramaniam’s brother, B. Sheshagiri Rao, as chairman was illegal, since the Endowment Act prohibits an individual from serving simultaneously as archaka and trustee. He argued that the same irregularity taints Dr Subramaniam’s current appointment.
The DPS members demanded that the endowment department and the district collector rectify these longstanding issues and ensure that the temple’s administration is transparent and lawful.
