As the entire nation eagerly anticipates the consecration of the grand Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on 22 January 2024, a report from the Tamil news daily Dinamalar has left devotees dismayed. According to the report, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu allegedly issued unofficial verbal orders to prohibit Annadanam (free food) and other special poojas in temples marking the ceremony.
The issue also came to spotlight when devotees in Then Thiruperai were denied police permission to hold bhajans and special poojas at the Perumal temple. It is pertinent to note that Then Thiruperai is considered one of the ‘Nava Thirupathi’ and is located in Thoothukudi (DMK MP Kanimozhi’s constituency).
After Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the DMK government, the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P. Sekarbabu called it ‘rumours’ and an attempt to deflect people’s attention from Udhayanidhi Stalin’s DMK Youth Wing conference. The DMK Minister said that no such orders have been given by the government.
Recently regarding this Arjun Sampath the head of Indu Makkal Katchi (Hindu People’s Party) spoke to Arasiyal Thelivoam’s YouTube channel regarding the alleged ban on special temple rituals by the DMK government on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ram Temple on 22 January 2024.
Arjun Sampath explained that Then Thiruperai is one of the Nava Thirupathi, and holds historical significance, especially during the 22 January Pran Prathista, aligning with Ayodhya’s events. Apparently, officials of the HR&CE department prevented the residents from performing bhajans, not only at this location but also at the Then Thiruperai Siva temple and the Kurankani Muthumallai Amman temple.
Arjun Sampath explained that the Kurangani Muthumallai Amman temple, derives its name from monkeys lining up during the Ramayana period and is also connected to the discovery of Sita Devi’s jewels.
“Yes, Kurangani Muthumallai Amman temple means (Kurangu-Monkeys Ani- in line) monkeys stood lined up. In Ramayana period to go to Lanka, because Ram’s monkey troops lined up and Sita devi’s jewels were discovered here so the Muthu Maalai (Pearl Necklace) and so the Muthu Malai temple is connected to Ramayana.”, Arjun Sampath said.
He further stated that the HR&CE, led by Minister Sekar Babu in Tamil Nadu under Chief Minister MK Stalin, has verbally and in writing some places instructed that special poojas should not be conducted in these temples. This has been perceived by the people as an affront to spirituality and an attempt to undermine Sanadhan Dharma. The government’s interference is seen as a severe inconvenience for devotees, and urged immediate intervention by Sekar Babu.
“Now on these all temple HR&CE and its administration Sekar Babu is the minister for it and Tamil Nadu government MK Stalin is the Chief Minister.They today through verbally in some areas through writing in some special poojas should not be conducted and banned.Among the people and devotees, this is the government is against spirituality, to destroy Sanadhana Dharma from the point of view HR&CE is been administered so this is some much torture for the devotees this is completely wrong. Because of this in the entire Tamilnadu there has been displeasure immediately Sekar Babu should intervene”.
He further added that Government officers should not act arbitrarily; their role is to facilitate the convenience of devotees. Many towns and states have declared holidays for similar occasions, and Tamil Nadu should follow suit. The HR&CE, through Sekar Babu, has announced a special darshan for those going to Ayodhya, but simultaneously, they are threatening people and banning traditional events in temples, raising questions about fairness.
He questioned the contradictory that “Do officers work at their own disposal? The officers cannot decide what poojas are performed their objective is to work for the convenience of the devotees. Many towns in many states have declared a holiday central government has announced leave up to the afternoon 2. Tamil Nadu government should announce a public holiday and through HR&CE already Sekar Babu has announced this ‘We will arrange special darshan to people who go to Ayodhya’. But here HR&CE department threatening people usually in the thiruperai temple if we pay the fee for the mandapam they will allocate the place in there thirupavai thiruvempavai contests will happen every year. Banning all these is fair in what way? So in all places we will protest in a democratic and truthful way. HR&CE department should not do this kind of anarchy!”
He finally said that the EO and HR&CE officers’ behavior, calling archakars, threatening devotees, and batachariyars not to perform special poojas, is deemed unfair. “If the situation continues, we will escalate our actions, bringing the Chief Minister and HR&CE Minister into the spotlight. The HR&CE commissioner must reconsider and withdraw their directives; otherwise, severe repercussions may follow, ultimately damaging the government’s reputation.” Arjun Sampath said.
“EO, HR&CE officer calling the archakas, threatening devotees, and batachariyars saying you should not perform any special poojas… what way it is fair? If the situation in these famous temples connected to Ramayana’s is like this … this is so Anti-Hindu and the motive of HR&CE is erroneous”
He warned “We will take further steps, this is so shocking for us particularly we will bring the view of the chief minister and HR&CE minister if the HR&CE commissioner has directed regarding this. immediately they should take back or else severe reactions particularly from the government will suffer damage later on”
*தென்திருப்பேரையில் இராம நாம பஜனைக்கு தடை – அறநிலையத் துறையின் அராஜகம்.. அர்ஜுன் சம்பத் கடும் எச்சரிக்கை பேட்டி..*
வீடியோ பார்க்க Link..👇🏻👇🏻https://t.co/4rXqMr3pdI— Indu Makkal Katchi (Offl) 🇮🇳 (@Indumakalktchi) January 21, 2024
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