Locals have jumped in to protest against the DMK government’s move to establish a Samathuvapuram near Periyakulam in Theni district.
This ‘Samathuvapuram’ (alleged “equality village”) is being established by cutting down trees of a temple land.
There exist many temples and sacred groves at the Erumalainayakam village in Theni district. These temples and sacred groves are revered by the locals and are being worshipped traditionally for ages. Recently, the villagers came to know that a new ‘Samathuvapuram’ was to be established by cutting down trees of the sacred groves belonging to these temples. Upon coming to know of the government’s move, the local villagers laid siege to the Panchayat Union at Periyakulam office demanding the government to not proceed with the establishment of the Samathuvapuram.
Officials tried to pacify the people asking them to withdraw the protest. However, the locals have warned that a big protest will break out if the government decides to proceed with the construction of the Samathuvapuram at the said site.
One of the villagers was quoted saying in a media report that they do not even take a twig from the sacred groves and that the government’s move to build a Samathuvapuram at the sacred site has angered them.