The Hindu Munnani, has called on the DMK government in Tamil Nadu to release a comprehensive white paper detailing the progress and current status of all idol smuggling cases in the state. This demand follows concerns over the handling of these cases under the current administration.
In a strongly worded statement, Hindu Munnani said, “During the previous administration, under the directives of the Madras High Court, the Idol Smuggling Wing, led by Ponn Manickavel, successfully recovered many stolen idols. Several officers involved in these crimes were arrested, and these cases are now pending in court. However, the situation changed with the new government. Unfortunately, the anti-Hindu DMK government took power. Once the DMK assumed control, actions against the accused officials in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department were halted. Those officials, previously accused of misconduct, grew close to the current rulers and the HR&CE Minister, raising questions about the status of their cases.”
It added, “What is the current status of the recovery efforts for the stolen idols? Retired DGP Ponn Manickavel has stated that over 2,000 rare idols from Tamil Nadu still need to be retrieved from abroad. What steps have the HR&CE Department and the Idol Prevention Wing taken to recover them? How many idols are currently missing, and what cases have been filed by the Idol Prevention Wing? Specifically, what has been done regarding the missing emerald lingam, valued at thousands of crores? Why has no action been taken to expedite the pending court cases? What measures are being taken against the officials involved in the idol thefts? For instance, the investigation into the missing peacock idol from the Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai was dropped, and the subsequent search in the temple tank yielded no results. What is the current status of that search?”
The Hindu Munnnani accused the DMK government misleading the court in many such cases.
“The saying goes, ‘Arasan andre kolvaan, Deivam nindru kollum’, (The king kills on that day, the god waits and kills). The DMK government should not think they can protect officials who destroy temples. God is our protector, and it is the responsibility of Hindu devotees to safeguard the temples.” said Hindu munnani.
Hindu Munnani said, “Therefore, we urge the ruling DMK government to publish a comprehensive white paper on the actions taken so far. On behalf of Hindu Munnani, we call on the Tamil Nadu government to immediately release a detailed white paper on this matter. If the DMK government remains silent, Hindu Munnani will pursue democratic means, with the support of devotees, to ensure accountability.”
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