Tamil Nadu BJP’s State Secretary, A. Ashvathaman, has strongly criticized the ruling DMK and questioned Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, asking, “Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin, is Velliangiri Hill your father’s property?”.
His remarks came in response to a recent notification that requires devotees visiting the spiritual site of Velliangiri Hill to pay a fee of ₹5,099 to the Tamil Nadu government under the ‘Trek Tamil Nadu scheme.’
In a recent post on his official X account, Ashvathaman condemned the scheme as an injustice imposed by the Dravidian Model Government on Hindus, asserting that Velliangiri Hill has been a place of worship for centuries, primarily attracting spiritual seekers rather than tourists.
He emphasized the traditions of local villagers who travel to the hill in bullock carts for cultural events and worship rituals, questioning whether these residents would now need to pay a fee to ascend Velliangiri Hill with their offerings. Additionally, Ashvathaman referenced Udhayanidhi’s previous comments about wanting to dismantle Sanatana Hindu Dharma, urging him to clarify whether this fee is part of a broader agenda to undermine Hindu practices.
The BJP has denounced the Deputy Chief Minister’s actions as an attempt to disrupt worship at Velliangiri Hill and has pledged to initiate a significant protest if the notification is not revoked immediately.
Ashvathaman, via his X official account questioned, “Mr. Udayanidhi Stalin, is Velliangiri hill your dad’s property? In a notification issued by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, it has been said that those who go to Velliangiri hill, the South Kailash should pay ₹5099 to the Tamil Nadu government. The Dravidian Model Government has done this injustice in the name of ‘Trek Tamil Nadu scheme’.”
“For hundreds of years, devotees have been visiting Velliangiri Hill to worship Lord Shiva. People who come to Velliangiri Hill are spiritual seekers and not tourists who come for trekking. 3 lakh to 4 lakh devotees visit Velliangiri Hill on day of Shivaratri alone. About ten lakh devotees visit Chitra Pournami day. On Chitra Poornami, the villagers around the foot hills come in bullock carts perform events like Valli Kummi, Kaavadi, Oyilattam, Mayilattam and ascend the Valliyangiri hill with Kaavadi. Should the residents of nearby villages required to pay a fee of ₹5099 to Udayanidhi in the future for climbing Velliangiri hill with Kavadi?” He stated.
“Many surrounding villagers including Thanikandi and Mullangadu worships Lord Shiva on Velliangiri as their clan deity. In the future, should the people belonging to those villages pay tribute to the Dravidian model government to worship their clan deity!? The question arises whether Udayanidhi is planning to stop lakhs of devotees coming to Velliangiri every day!?” He added.
“It is well known fact that Udhayanidhi keeps saying that he will destroy Sanatana Hindu Dharma. Udhayanidhi should clarify whether this is a part of conspiracy plan to eradicate Sanatana Hindu dharma advanced by Udhayanidhi.” He asserted.
“Velliangiri, (Known as) the South Kailash, is home to several spiritual sites, including the White Ganesha Temple, consecrated and worshipped by the grand women Tamil poetess Avvaiyar, Sita Van, Bheema’s Rock, and Siddhar Roof. Hindus believe that if holy water is collected from Andi Sunai on Tirunir Hill, the sixth hill of Velliangiri, and used for abishekam in temples unable to conduct kumbabhishekam, the abishekam will be carried out immediately in those temples.” He further stated.
“Even last week, Udhayanidhi Stalin toured the foothills in Tiruvannamalai under the guise of an inspection. While many people thought that he had come to Girivala path for prayers, while many assumed he was there to pray along the Girivala path, there are now suspicions that he may have had ulterior motives, possibly considering ways to impose charges on the devotees visiting Girivala path in Tiruvannamalai.” He added
“The announcement made by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin appears with an apparent intention to disrupt worship at Velliangiri Hill, a major spiritual site. This is highly condemnable. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will initiate a huge protest if this notification is not revoked immediately.” He warned.
வெள்ளியங்கிரி மலை என்ன உங்கள் அப்பன் வீட்டு சொத்தா ? உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் அவர்களே ?
துணை முதல்வர் உதயநிதி ஸ்டாலின் அவர்கள் வெளியிட்டு இருக்கிற ஒரு அறிவிப்பில் தென்கைலாயமான வெள்ளியங்கிரி மலைக்கு செல்பவர்கள் ரூ. 5099 ரூபாய் தமிழக அரசுக்கு கட்ட வேண்டும் என்று சொல்லப்பட்டு இருக்கிறது.… pic.twitter.com/6YjE8eoXrU
— Ashvathaman Allimuthu (@asuvathaman) October 26, 2024
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