The head of the Dharmapuram Adheenam, Srilasree Masilamani Desika Gnanasambandha Paramacharya Swamigal, has announced that he will undertake an indefinite fast unto death in protest against the proposed demolition of a historic free maternity hospital in Mayiladuthurai, originally established by the Adheenam.
The hospital, located on Mayuranathar North Road in Mayiladuthurai, was founded in 1943 by Srilasree Shanmuga Desiya Paramacharya Swamigal, the 24th pontiff of Dharmapuram Adheenam, in memory of his mother. Built on two acres of land belonging to the Adheenam, the facility was completed after eight years of construction and was inaugurated in 1951 by then Chief Minister Kumaraswamy Raja.
Following its inauguration, the Dharmapuram Adheenam handed over the hospital to the Mayiladuthurai municipality for public administration. Over the decades, however, the structure reportedly fell into disrepair due to poor maintenance.
Distressed by the deteriorating condition, the current abbot, Srilasree Masilamani Desika Gnanasambandha Paramacharya Swamigal, the 27th pontiff, had earlier written to both the municipal administration and the Tamil Nadu government, requesting that the building be handed back to the Adheenam for restoration and upkeep. Despite these appeals, authorities reportedly decided to demolish the structure, prompting strong opposition from the Adheenam.
There are claims that the hospital, which was operating smoothly up until five years ago, has deteriorated into a dumping ground for trash due to the municipality’s neglect in maintenance.
In October 2019, the municipal administration established a micro-composting centre to sort the garbage despite heavy opposition from public. At present, the micro-composting centre is also non-functional, and the area has turned filthy due to the accumulation of garbage. It now faces the risk of being turned into a full-fledged dumpyard.
The demolition plan was temporarily halted earlier this year after the abbot raised the issue publicly and appealed to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. However, new reports suggest that a bhoomi puja (ground-breaking ceremony) for the demolition has been scheduled again.
In response, the Adheenam issued a statement on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, warning that if the demolition proceeds, an indefinite fast would be launched. The post stated:
“Earlier, there was information that the free maternity hospital was going to be demolished. It was brought to the attention of the Chief Minister and it was stopped. We have now learned that the bhoomi puja will be held again tomorrow. I am at an event outside the city, and this must be stopped. Otherwise, we will fast until death to protect what our ancestors built.”
The Adheenam’s statement emphasizes that the hospital, established as a charitable institution for the welfare of women and children, stands as a legacy of service by the monastery’s earlier pontiffs.
Local sources say that devotees and residents of Mayiladuthurai have expressed support for the Adheenam’s plea to preserve the historic building. Meanwhile, the municipal authorities have not yet issued an official clarification regarding the reported demolition plans.
சாகும்வரை உண்ணாவிரதம் தருமையாதீனம் அறிவிப்பு
மயிலாடுதுறையில் 24ஆவது சந்நிதானத்தால் அடிக்கல் நாட்டப்பெற்று 25ஆவது சந்நிதானத்தின் காலத்தில் அப்போதைய முதல்வர் குமாரசாமிராஜா திறந்துவைத்த இலவச மகப்பேறு மருத்துவமனையை இடிக்கபோவதாக தகவல் இடித்தால் உண்ணாவிரதம் இருந்து காப்போம் pic.twitter.com/RSVMAThB65— Dharumai Adheenam (@dharumaiadhenam) October 7, 2025
(With inputs OneIndia Tamil)
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