With the slogan ‘Protect the temple and reclaim its rights,’ a spiritual gathering of various organizations in Trichy convened at Sri Sumangali Mahal in Trichy Thiruvanaikoil Vibhuti Prakaram. Former Inspector General of Police Ponn Manickavel took part in the event and delivered a special address focusing on safeguarding temple assets.

In a prior interaction with the media, Manickavel emphasized that the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments department should solely handle administrative tasks. He said that it was not acceptable to say that they perform Kumbhabhishekam for six thousand temples and making excuses for not recovering lost idols. Manickavel stated, “If asked, they say we performed Kumbabhishekam to six thousand temples. Keep Kumbabhishekam in your head and perform it. Who should perform Kumbhabhisekham? Kumbham is the final ceremony. HR&CE should only perform administrative works; the dumb department is taking it up Kumbabishegam and doing that. Already, there is a department in the government for that, which department? It is Archaeological department.”

He expressed dismay at political apathy towards the recovery of idols, “Udayachandran is there. He doesn’t know the job. If you put him here, he will work, if you put him there, won’t he work? Should he perform there? Shouldn’t he work and take it up or not? What is the meaning for being silent, talent should be shown everywhere.”

Later, Ponn Manickavel clarified that there was a misunderstanding in earlier interpretations regarding idols found underground, attributing their concealment to neglect during the Mughal era. He explained that these idols, known as Utsavar Moorthi, were metal-carved deities used during the Chola era for processions that allowed common people who couldn’t visit the temple to participate in worship.

He further stated that a significant number of looted idols, totaling 1,414, are housed at Washington DC and 35 of them are housed in  Victoria and Albert Museum in London following their smuggling abroad by Subash Chandra Kapoor. He said that all parties implicated in these thefts should be held accountable. Later addressing the figurines of deities at museums ought to be relocated to temples and not treated merely as exhibits, Manickavel questioned why the government kept idols in the Madras Museum, while idols in London are viewed as art by people of different religions, whereas we worship them. He questioned the purpose of exhibiting deities in Chennai.

Despite Chief Minister Stalin being urged to document 3.5 lakh idols, no progress has been made. He questioned whether legal action is the sole recourse and why the government has not intervened.

Recent announcements in the police budget by Chief Minister Stalin have stirred disappointment and outcry. Despite the government compensating victims of illicit alcohol consumption handsomely, efforts to recover stolen idols in Tamil Nadu have been fruitless despite multiple appeals. Numerous ancient temples in Tamil Nadu lie in disrepair and demand restoration. Resources from private donors, not just government coffers, are available for temple revitalization.

Later stating the plight of petitions, despite 150 court orders issued thus far, none have been effectively implemented by the government. The commissioner overseeing the HR&CE department was criticized as authoritarian. Manickavel said, “Net result is zero, I’m living here… How many times should I go to the court, is this my work? Then what should be done? If the government abolishes the HR&CE Act, there is no need for all this”

It has been claimed that around 34,119 temples have already been demolished. Apparently, in 2012, a staggering 2,622 idols were stolen nationwide. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, expected to confront the central government and secure the return of these idols, has maintained a troubling silence on the matter, he said.

(With inputs from ETV Bharat)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.