The Tamil Nadu government's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department on 9 July 2025 issued an order lifting long-standing restrictions on the transfer of 3,084 acres of inam lands in Karur district, a move welcomed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] as a landmark step for thousands of poor and marginalised families who have occupied these properties for over six decades.

What the Government Order Changes

The HR&CE Department order removes transfer restrictions that had remained in force under the Inam Abolition Act despite the lands being in continuous occupation by poor families for more than 60 years. Prior to the order, these families could not freely sell, transfer, or legally secure ownership of their holdings, leaving their tenure perpetually uncertain.

CPI(M)'s Reaction and Key Demands

P. Shanmugam, Tamil Nadu State Executive Committee member of the CPI(M) and State President of the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, described the order as 'an important victory for people who had been seeking a permanent solution to the issue for several decades.' He called on the state government to treat the Karur decision as a model and frame a comprehensive statewide policy to resolve inam land disputes permanently, ensuring secure land ownership and housing rights for farmers and residents across Tamil Nadu.

Attack on Sangh Parivar Organisations

Shanmugam also launched a sharp critique of Sangh Parivar organisations, alleging they were attempting to politicise the issue. He recalled that during the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government, the Tamil Nadu administration had reportedly reclaimed several temple lands and properties worth hundreds of crores of rupees allegedly encroached upon by leaders linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hindu Munnani, and Hindu Mahasabha. He alleged these same forces were now criticising the current government's order because they could not accept measures that strengthened rights of ordinary Hindu devotees and long-time occupants.

Broader Inam Land Issue Across Tamil Nadu

Shanmugam underscored that the Karur order addresses only a fraction of a much larger problem. Thousands of farmers and residents across the state continue to face similar disputes over inam lands, with legal challenges and bureaucratic hurdles blocking secure ownership. He condemned what he termed 'baseless criticism' and legal attempts to stall the rights of affected communities. This comes amid a wider debate in Tamil Nadu over the administration and alienation of temple-linked properties, a politically sensitive issue that cuts across religious, agrarian, and legal fault lines.

What Happens Next

With the Karur order now in place, affected families in the district can proceed with transfers and formalise ownership. However, a statewide resolution remains pending. The CPI(M) has urged the Tamil Nadu government to extend similar relief to all inam land holders in the state, signalling that advocacy on this front is far from over.