A controversy that erupted over the alleged denial of free temple meals to Narikuravar community children at the Nellaiappar Temple has now escalated, with the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department filing a police complaint against the activist who brought the issue to light.

Activist David Raja, who recorded and shared the now-viral video of the children narrating their ordeal, has been accused by the department of “spreading misinformation.” The complaint comes even as questions continue to be raised over whether the children were denied entry during the annadhanam organised on 3 February 2026 to mark former Chief Minister CN Annadurai’s death anniversary.

HR&CE Department Releases Select CCTV Clip

In response to the backlash, HR&CE officials released an eight-minute CCTV clip showing David Raja arriving at the meal distribution area with four children. Temple staff are seen speaking to him before he leaves with them.

According to the department, the footage proves that no discrimination took place. Officials stated that the commemorative meal service (Samabandhi) had concluded by the time Raja arrived with the children.

They claimed:

• Free meals began at 12:30 PM
• Around 792 people were served
• Additional crowds arrived later by 1:45 PM
• By 1:48 pm, when Raja brought the children, the event had ended

On this basis, the department alleged that the activist falsely portrayed the situation as caste-based denial.

Activist Disputes Official Version

David Raja has strongly contested the department’s claims, maintaining that the viral video captured only the aftermath, not the children’s initial attempt to access the meal.

He asserted that the children had already been turned away once before he intervened and that their first attempt was denied without explanation. He stated that the second denial cited food shortage and that officials have released only a partial CCTV segment.

Raja has demanded that the full, unedited footage, including recordings from other cameras, be made public, arguing that his oral complaint to HR&CE officials would also have been captured.

HR and CE department filed a police complaint against David Raja alleging he spread misinformation. He recorded and posted on social media a video of Narikuravar community children who claimed that Nellaiappar Temple staff denied them permission to partake in the free meal during… https://t.co/TGSxNYTu81 pic.twitter.com/z4wzEcwAQ6

— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) February 4, 2026

Inquiry vs Police Action

While HR&CE Joint Commissioner Kavitha initially said CCTV footage spanning nearly two hours would be reviewed to ascertain facts, the filing of a police complaint against the whistle-blower has drawn attention.

The move shifts focus away from the core allegation, whether marginalised children were prevented from participating, and instead targets the individual who amplified their claims.

Officials Deny Allegations

Temple authorities, along with local political functionaries present at the event, have denied any wrongdoing. They insist the issue stems purely from timing and logistical constraints, not discrimination.

Source: The New Indian Express

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The post After Narikuravar Children Allegedly Denied Partaking Annadhanam At Nellaiappar Temple, HR&CE Books Activist For ‘Misinformation’ appeared first on The Commune.

At least five children belonging to the Narikuravar community were allegedly denied participation in a free meal organised inside the Nellaiappar Temple on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, to mark the death anniversary of former Tamil Nadu chief minister CN Annadurai. The incident sparked outrage after a video clip of one of the children narrating the incident to an activist went viral on social media.

Children were threatened when they entered the temple to have a meal pic.twitter.com/hXAAMw1pDi

— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) February 3, 2026

According to reports, a man suspected to be a staff member of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department allegedly threatened a group of children, warning them that they would be beaten if they entered the temple to partake in the meal. The alleged incident occurred even as Speaker M Appavu, Tirunelveli Mayor G Ramakrishnan, and senior HR&CE officials were present inside the temple and participating in the annadhanam.

Children of Narikuravar community were allegedly not allowed to partake in the free meal organised inside the Nellaiyappar Temple to mark former CM Annadurai’s death anniversary. Following this, an activist arranged meals for the disappointed children at a nearby hotel.… pic.twitter.com/YXzKf78K1Z

— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) February 3, 2026

After the children recounted the alleged threat to an activist, he reportedly took them to a nearby hotel and bought them food.

The incident triggered sharp political reactions. In a strongly worded statement, the AIADMK said the reported denial of food and temple entry to children from a marginalised community on Annadurai’s memorial day was “deeply shocking.” The statement accused the present administration of practising “modern untouchability” and questioned how such an incident could occur in a state that has historically witnessed temple entry movements and claims a legacy of social justice and equality.

The statement further said that watching the video of a young girl tearfully explaining how the children were threatened was distressing, and described the incident as an extreme form of contemporary discrimination. It also questioned how such an incident could take place in the presence of the Assembly Speaker, demanding explanations from both the Speaker and the government, and calling for a public apology.

திருநெல்வேலி நெல்லையப்பர் திருக்கோயிலில் பேரறிஞர் அண்ணா நினைவு நாளையொட்டி நடைபெற்ற, சபாநாயகர் அப்பாவு பங்கேற்ற அன்னதானத்தில் நரிக்குறவர் சமூகத்தைச் சேர்ந்த சிறுவர்களுக்கு பங்கேற்கவோ, கோயிலுக்குள் நுழையவோ அனுமதி மறுக்கப்பட்டதாக வரும் செய்தி மிகுந்த அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.

சமநிலை… pic.twitter.com/jtKBj4iJgL

— AIADMK – SayYesToWomenSafety&AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) February 3, 2026

Joint Director of the HR&CE Department Kavitha told reporters that an inquiry would be conducted to identify who denied entry to the children and to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident.

Source: The New Indian Express

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The post Narikuravar Children Allegedly Barred From Annadhanam At Nellaiappar Temple In Presence Of DMK Leaders, HR&CE Officials appeared first on The Commune.