BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan on Monday (May 18, 2026) flagged the growing “menace of touts” at Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur and called for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s intervention in this regard. The touts at the temple were collecting money by deceiving devotees, promising expedited darshan, she alleged.

In a social media post, Ms. Srinivasan underlined the delay in appointing a Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments and urged Mr. Vijay to appoint a Minister soon, so that devotees are not deceived by such touts at temples under the control of the HR&CE Department.

Touts were collecting between ₹500 and ₹1,000 from devotees, she alleged. “It is not clear if the temple administration is not aware of this or if it is worried about the commission it will get,” she said.