evidence: CHENNAI: In its response to recent allegations made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the DMK-led state government on the alleged misuse of temple properties and funds, the DMK IT wing on Sunday posted a 2.44-minute video on its official social media account, highlighting the DMK-led government’s extensive efforts to reclaim temple properties that had been encroached upon and misused by BJP functionaries. The video also underscores the saffron party’s push to free temples from the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department. [...] The video suggests that the HR&CE’s proactive actions in arresting BJP functionaries involved in these irregularities and reclaiming encroached temple properties have caused apprehension within the BJP. Commenting on the development, a DMK state-level functionary who preferred anonymity said, "The HR&CE department meticulously maintains records of temple properties and undergoes regular audits. However, income and properties of temples associated with various mutts in the state are continuously dwindling, with no proper accounting or audits." [...] In response to the claims made by DMK IT wing, BJP’s state vice president, Narayanan Thirupathy, said, "We do not condone wrongdoing, regardless of the party affiliation of the accused. The HR&CE department should reflect on its responsibility for temple land encroachments and improper occupation. The DMK IT wing’s video exposes the department’s shortcomings in protecting temple properties. Therefore, we have been advocating for the liberation of temples from government control for the past four decades."