The Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam has come down heavy on The Hindu newspaper for misquoting the pontiff head and spreading misinformation about the Sengol being a symbolic transfer of power.
On 8 June 2023, The Hindu had published an article titled “Not clear if Sengol was presented to Mountbatten, says Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam head” in which the Adheenam pontiff was quoted saying “What was the use in giving the Sengol to Lord Mountbatten? He was after all leaving India by handing all powers.”
In the article, it was asserted that there is a lack of evidence to support the involvement of Mountbatten and Rajaji in the transfer of power during the sengol event.
The report further said that the Adheenam head agreed when it was pointed out that there was no evidence that the sceptre was regarded as a symbol of “transfer of power”.
This report became a fodder for the Congress to unleash yet another attack on the Modi Government for celebrating the Sengol.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that the sengol, symbolizing the transfer of power from the British to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, has been debunked.
So the BJP's FakeFactory stands exposed today by none other than the revered head Swamigal of the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam himself in The Hindu. No Mountbatten, No Rajaji, No part in OFFICIAL transfer of power on August 14th 1947. But yes the majestic Sengol was indeed… pic.twitter.com/OKRXBYZg7o
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 9, 2023
In response to the continuous allegations made by The Hindu, on 9 June 2023 the Thiruvaduthurai Aadheenam has issued a strong statement denouncing the spread of misinformation regarding the historic event of the Sengol being handed over to Mountbatten before reaching Nehru. The Aadheenam said that it was deeply concerned by the venomous narrative being propagated and sought to set the record straight and clarify the facts surrounding the incident.
திருக்கயிலாய பரம்பரை மெய்கண்ட சந்தானம் திருவாவடுதுறை ஆதீனம் ஶ்ரீலஶ்ரீ குருமகா சந்நிதானம் அவர்களின் செய்தி அறிக்கை pic.twitter.com/rklNGTg3tg
— திருவாவடுதுறை ஆதீனம் (@Namasivayaaaa) June 9, 2023
Thiruvaduthurai Aadheenam expressed dissatisfaction and claimed that the news article published in The Hindu was filled with malicious intent.
According to Aadheenam, this news article deviated from the actual historical events and deliberately twisted the words of Aadheenam during an unannounced meeting with a reporter after the morning pooja.
The Thiruvadhuthurai Aadheenam expressed pride in its significant role in the Sengol ceremony that took place in 1947. A group from Thiruvadhuthurai traveled to Delhi with the sengol after accepting an invitation. The Adheenam categorically stated that the Sengol was presented to Mountbatten and subsequently purified with Ganga water and handed over to Jawaharlal Nehru. Ultimately, the Sengol reached the hands of Nehru, which was what the Adheenam had said to The Hindu reporter when specifically asked if it was presented to Mountbatten.
The Adheenam in its statement condemning the The Hindu’s distortion of the pontiff’s statement said that the recently published history of Thiruvadhuthurai Aadheenam contains a chapter titled “The Greatness of sengol,” which provides detailed information about the event. According to the Adheenam, this chapter also confirms that the Sengol was presented to Mountbatten after which it was ritualistically purified and presented to Nehru.
“In relation to this, Thiru Maasilaamani Pillai, the personal assistant of the 20th Head Pontiff, who is currently 96 years old, has provided a clear explanation of the sequence of events. He serves as a living witness to the sengol event that took place in 1947. Thiru Maasilaamani Pillai has shared his personal memories of the sengol event, noting that it occurred due to the interest of Thiru Chakravarthy Rajagopalachari. He also mentioned that the Madras Collector personally visited Aadheenam during 1947 and actively participated in the preparations for the Sengol event. It is worth mentioning that Thiru Maasilaamani Pillai revealed these details long before The Hindu’s news article was published.”, the Adheenam said in the statement.
The Aadheenam expressed deep disappointment with the media outlets distorting the truth adding that it greatly affects their sentiments.
“The absence of photographic evidence of Mountbatten with the Sengol can be attributed to the fact that the Aadheenam did not have cameras in their possession at that time. Nevertheless, the Aadheenam’s team diligently fulfilled their duties and ensured the recitation of Tamil Thirumurais (holy scriptures). They returned to the Aadheenam and provided a detailed account of the event. Over time, this event has been documented in various media sources.”, the Adheenam further added.
The act of The Hindu publishing news without substantial evidence and attempting to tarnish the reputation of Thiruvaduthurai aadheenam has faced strong criticism from numerous political commentators including S Gurumurthy.
He tweeted that, “It is depressing that The Hindu has ended up abetting the Congress which had destroyed all evidence on sengol & destroyed the identity of the sengol itself to erase the history of 14/8/1947 instead of asking the congress why it suppressed the sengol”
It is depressing that The Hindu has ended up abetting the Congress which had destroyed all evidences on Sengol & destroyed the identity of the Sengol itself to erase the history of 14/8/1947 instead of asking the congress why did it supprese the Sengol
— S Gurumurthy (@sgurumurthy) June 9, 2023
Notably, Senior journalist Malini Parthasarathy had recently announced her departure as the Chairperson of The Hindu Group Publishing and also resigned from the Board of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited (THGPPL). In explaining her decision, she cited the diminishing space for her editorial perspectives and concerns about ideological bias as the primary factors influencing her departure. There have been allegations that The Hindu has been involved in disseminating false information without adequate verification or supporting evidence.
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