The Tamil Nadu government and the forest department are targeting exclusively on Hindu temples. Gadeshwara C Subramaniam, the state president of Hindu Munnani, criticizes the Tamil Nadu government for misleading devotees with the elephant route draft report.

He stated, “A deliberate scheme has been devised to cause issues for numerous temples in Tamil Nadu, including Marudhamalai and Velliangiri Hills. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has recently published a draft report identifying 42 elephant corridors in the state. According to the 2023 report, the elephant population is declining in 20 forest divisions, including five elephant reserves — Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Anamalai, Agastya Malai, and Srivilliputtur. This scheme, purportedly aimed at concealing elephant corridors, is actually intended to obstruct devotees’ access to many temples.”

His statement said, “For instance, the Sorimuthayanar temple en route to Agasthiyar in Tirunelveli district has come under the control of the forest department, leading to numerous restrictions on devotees’ entry. Similarly, in Coimbatore district, temples situated along the forest trails, such as Veerakaliamman temple, Kodiveli Amman, and Badrakali Amman, face significant restrictions. The forest department imposes strict limitations on devotees’ access to temples like Poondi and Velliangiri. However, it’s worth noting that elephant corridors have existed for ages in the same area where the disputed Karunya Institute is located. Despite this, due to the intervention of the DMK government, which claims its origin from Christian alms, neither the forest department nor the Tamil Nadu government has taken any action. On the contrary, they continue to criticize the Isha Center, which is involved in environmental awareness and spiritual work.”

He added, “In the world-renowned Marudhamalai temple, the elephant corridor is being exploited to inconvenience devotees. This situation necessitates an understanding of historical context. The DMK government remained silent when Christians openly declared their intention to convert Chennimalai into a Christian hill. There is a fear that the DMK government may order the forest department to designate this temple as an elephant corridor, hindering worship at Marudhamalai. This temple is celebrated as the seventh abode of Lord Muruga by Muruga devotees in Kongu mandalam, and it attracts millions of devotees who perform Kavadi and worship. Hindus should understand that if this is allowed, the DMK government will pose a threat to every Murugan temple.”

He accused, “Karunya college, located on the Kalkothi-Valayar elephant corridor, has deliberately concealed the damage caused to wild animals, including elephants. Spread over nearly 1,200 acres, Karunya does fall within the elephant corridor. However, it is only the temples that Hindus have been visiting for centuries that are being designated as part of the elephant corridor. This raises questions about the justification of such actions. Is there a separate law for Hindus in Tamil Nadu? Is there a different set of rules for Christians?”

“For instance, since the DMK government came to power, hundreds of temples have been demolished without providing alternative places for devotees. Reasons such as road expansion, encroachment, and court verdicts are cited, yet the same actions are not taken against places of worship of other religions. Is the DMK government’s atheistic stance the reason behind this hatred towards Hindus?” he said.

He said, “The Tamil Nadu government should not accept the proposal for a new elephant corridor if it infringes upon the rights of Hindus under the guise of elephant protection. Similarly, if there are any obstacles to devotees’ entry at important temples like Marudhamalai and Poondi, Hindu Munnani will mobilize devotees and stage a massive demonstration.”

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The post Hindu Munnani Sees Red Flag In TN Govt’s Draft Report On Elephant Corridors, Alleges Targeting Of Hindu Temples While Leaving Out Karunya Univ appeared first on The Commune.

Sun News posted a video on social media platform X quoting Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President K Annamalai’s speech during his En Mann En Makkal yatra. Annamalai was speaking about the lack of electricity at the Marudhamalai Murugan temple. Sun News posted the video with a question, “Was DMK in power in 1962?” and shared a photo of the engraved inauguration stone mentioning MGR and Chinnappa Devar, trying to prove that they fact checked the claim and it turned out to be wrong. 

The incident that Annamalai quoted at his yatra mentions how it was Chinnappa Devar popularly known as Sandow MMA Chinnappa Devar was instrumental in getting an electricity connection for the Marudhamalai Temple in Coimbatore. Annamalai said, “One has to talk about the Marudhamalai Murugan temple when you are in the Kaundanpalayam area in Coimbatore. Until 1962, Marudamalai Murugan temple had no electricity. DMK was hell-bent on not providing an electricity connection to the temple. It was Chinnappa Devar who gave electricity connection to the temple. Chinnappa Devar is known for his contribution to the field of cinema. He was the person who paid a registration fee for the electricity connection and met MGR to urge him to provide electricity to the temple. This is an example to show that DMK is always anti-Hindu and against Sanathana Dharma.”

 This incident took place in 1962 and Sun News assumed that Annamalai was trying to pin the blame for the lack of electricity on the DMK.

Watch | 1962ல் திமுக ஆட்சியா? – வைரலாகும் அண்ணாமலையின் ‘தெளிவான’ பேச்சு!#SunNews | #Annamalai | #KovaiBJP | #FactCheck pic.twitter.com/rYIViUmEgd

— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) September 27, 2023

Annamalai replied to this with a post on X. He said, “Generally I don’t respond to garbage, but have decided to make an exception today & clean it up for once. I have clearly said that Puratchi Thalaivar M G Ramachandran went to Marudamalai Murugan temple to inaugurate the electricity connection provided at the temple by accepting the request of Mr. Chinnappa Devar and defying the order put forth by the DMK. Concealing and distorting history is not new to DMK and their family-run media houses.”

Generally i don’t respond to garbage, but have decided to make an exception today & clean it up for once.

திமுக விதித்திருந்த கட்டுப்பாட்டை மீறி, ஐயா சின்னப்ப தேவர் அவர்களின் கோரிக்கையை ஏற்று புரட்சித் தலைவர் திரு எம் ஜி ஆர் அவர்கள் மருதமலை முருகன் கோவிலில் வழங்கப்பட்ட… https://t.co/f68zqYnh1A pic.twitter.com/FFYHycNXhI

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) September 27, 2023

He also shared screenshots of news articles about the said incident.  

The Dinamalar article says, “The centenary celebrations of Sandow Chinnappa Devar, who achieved many heights in Tamil cinema production began on 28 June 2015. Until 1960, one had to walk to the Marudamalai Murugan temple, there was no proper walking path, electricity, or drinking water facilities. After sunset, devotees could not go to the temple. Once Devar came to know of this, he immediately paid the deposit for the electricity connection for the Kalveeranpalayam and Marudamalai villages. The connection was made available. As it was a time when electricity control was in force, Devar went to the Assembly (fort) and fought with the ruling government for this. Devar invited MGR to ‘switch on’ (inaugurate) the electric connection at Marudamalai. He said, “I have made 4 films with you, so with the profits I earned, this is the first thing I am doing with the profits. Please come and start it off Muruga…” 

MGR was in a dilemma because of the DMK’s control! “Minister of Agriculture in the Congress Cabinet, Nallasenapati along with the Sugar Minister, installed electric lamps at Marudamalai, so if I “switch on” will it be ok,” hesitated MGR. “Muruga, you are doing it for the people, no one will question that, Don’t hesitate…” said Devar. MGR could not deny his request any further. “On 7 December 1962, I am proud to have had the opportunity to light the lamp in the temple of the deity worshiped by Devar Anna at the Garbagriha of Sevarkodi (flag of Lord Muruga) at Marudamalai,” MGR said.

 Here is the subtitled version of the speech he gave at Kaundanpalayam quoting the Chinnappa Thevar-MGR incident.

 

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A post shared by K. Annamalai (@annamalai_kuppusamy)

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The post TN BJP Head Annamalai Busts Sun News’s Lies About Electricity Connection To Marudhamalai Temple appeared first on The Commune.