The Hindu Munnani has strongly criticised the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department for allegedly enabling select individuals to bypass regular queues at the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur by using the Shanmuga Vilasam entrance reportedly through VIP referrals or monetary influence. This has led to growing resentment among the general devotees and even sparked tension between pilgrims and police.

With the temple witnessing unusually high footfall due to a string of holidays including Independence Day, Aadi Krithigai, and Krishna Jayanthi crowd pressure peaked recently. On one day alone, over 1.2 lakh devotees visited the temple. Pilgrims queued from as early as 1 AM, standing in both the general and ₹100 special queues for hours before getting darshan.

However, frustration escalated when around 6:30 AM, a crowd of more than 500 devotees waiting near the Shanmuga Vilasam Mandapam observed a small group being allowed through a newly installed iron gate by security guards. When the rest were denied entry, tempers flared. The crowd reportedly forced open the barricade and surged into the mandapam. Police arrived shortly after and struggled for an extended period to disperse and control the situation.

Reacting on social media, Hindu Munnani condemned the HR&CE’s alleged misuse of the VIP darshan route, posting on X, “Long wait for darshan in Tiruchendur – Devotees protest… Yesterday, while the public was waiting in line for darshan at the Tiruchendur Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, some members of the public noticed that a few people were being let into the temple for darshan through the Shanmuga Vilasam gate. The public demanded that they also be allowed in and attempted to enter the temple by jumping over the barricades. For some time now, there have been regular complaints from the public on social media, often accompanied by videos, alleging that officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department make lakhs of devotees wait in line while only a select few are taken on a separate path for “VIP darshan.”

Yesterday, as people were waiting in line for darshan, they saw some people being allowed into the temple through the Shanmuga Vilasam gate. In response, thousands of people jumped the barricades and attempted to enter the temple, demanding to be allowed in as well. In the ensuing chaos, if anyone had been injured, who would have taken responsibility? A few months ago, a devotee who was waiting in line suffocated to death in this very same Tiruchendur temple. The public is now questioning why the HR&CE department has not taken any action against the individuals who are reportedly accepting money or VIP recommendations to escort a select few for darshan. They are also asking whether the officials themselves are complicit in this practice.

Devotees are asking whether appropriate action will be taken against the HR&CE officials who make devotees wait for hours, causing them hardship and provoking them to protest. Will action be taken against the HR&CE officials who make devotees wait for hours and provoke protests at Tiruchendur? Is it enough for Minister Sekar Babu to be called “Seyal Babu” (Active Babu), or will he actually take action?”

திருச்செந்தூரில் தரிசனத்திற்கு பல மணி நேரம் காத்திருப்பு – பக்தர்கள் போராட்டம்..

நேற்று திருச்செந்தூர் அருள்மிகு சுப்ரமணிய சுவாமி திருக்கோவிலில் தரிசனத்திற்காக பொதுமக்கள் வரிசையில் காத்திருந்தபோது சண்முக விலாசம் வாயில் வழியாக சிலரை கோவில் தரிசனத்திற்கு அனுப்புவதை கண்ட பொதுமக்கள்… pic.twitter.com/HoPDh2VuBM

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 17, 2025

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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