In a press statement issued today, Kadeshwara Subramaniam, the state president of Hindu Munnani, emphasised the immediate need for constructing separate roads dedicated to devotees embarking on the sacred padayatra. The call comes in response to a rising number of accidents involving pilgrims, particularly during the annual Thaipoosam festival, as they journey to Tiruchendur, Palani, Sabarimala, and Samayapuram.
Subramaniam highlighted the tragic incidents that occurred in recent weeks, including the death of a devotee in a road accident in Tiruchendur and another fatality resulting from a two-wheeler collision during a Palani padayatra. He underlined the historical significance of padayatra as an integral part of Hindu worship, stressing that devotees have been practicing this traditional pilgrimage for thousands of years.
Expressing concern over the safety of devotees, Kadeswara Subramaniam recalled the government’s earlier decision to construct separate roads from Dindigul to Palani and from Sempatti to Oddanchatram, specifically for the use of pilgrims. However, he lamented the current deplorable condition of these roads, rendering them unusable for devotees and forcing them onto tar roads shared with buses and heavy vehicles.
Kadeswara Subramaniam further criticised the lack of separate roads for devotees coming via Dharapuram and Udumalpet, leading to accidents caused by vehicles speeding during the night. He also highlighted the absence of safety measures such as glowing sticks which are previously provided.
Painting a grim picture of the infrastructure woes in Tiruchendur and Palani, Kadeswara Subramaniam pointed out the deteriorating condition of the tar road from Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur and the absence of basic facilities like toilets, drinking water, and medical amenities for padayatra pilgrims. He criticised the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department for prioritising darshan fees over providing essential services for devotees.
As the Thaipoosam festival approaches, Kadeswara Subramaniam urged the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to take immediate action. The Hindu Munnani called for the swift construction of separate roads, distribution of glowing sticks, provision of toilet facilities, medical aid, drinking water, and adequate arrangements for darshan, without compromise, to ensure the safety and well-being of the devotees.
விபத்தில் சிக்கும் பக்தர்கள் – பாதயாத்திரை செல்லும் பக்தர்களுக்கு தனிப்பாதை அமைக்க வேண்டும் – இந்து முன்னணி மாநில தலைவர் காடேஸ்வரா சுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள் அறிக்கை#கோவில்#அறநிலையத்துறை#இந்துமுன்னணி#ஆறுபடை#பழனி#திருச்செந்தூர்#பாதயாத்திரைhttps://t.co/DPvAkktccu
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) January 14, 2024
(With inputs from HINDU MUNNANI)
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