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.

A group over 500 people from villages surrounding Isha Yoga Center took to the streets to protest
against vested interests who are defaming the Yoga Center with baseless allegations.

Taking strong exception to motivated narratives, the villagers said they have been beneficiaries of health, livelihoods, education, and community wellbeing because of the Yoga Center’s interventions and which could be jeopardized by these false narratives.

The demonstration which happened near the Alandurai bus stand saw more than 500 people from various villages such as Alandurai, Semmedu, Iruttupallam, Madhvarayapuram, Mutathuvayal, Mullingar, Thaanikandi, Madakkadu, Nallurvayalpathi, Pattiyarkovilpathi. People from all walks of life such as farmers, auto drivers, villagers and tribal folk spoke about the benefits their villages received due to Isha and the efforts made by vested interests to stop them.

Ms Gayatri of Thaanikandi, a tribal village, said" Many of the villagers from the tribal villages at the Velliangiri foothills like Thanikandi, Madakkadu and Mullangadu are dependent on Isha for our
livelihoods. With Isha’s help we have started a women’s self held group and are making a living by
operating shops on the way to the Adiyogi. Isha has helped educate our children. It doesn’t matter what time of the night it is but if we call they send an ambulance to help in an emergency. Some people are making false statements that Isha has stolen tribal lands just for the sake of money. This is totally untrue. I am pained to say that even my mother Mutthalamma is one of the people spreading such false statements. Our village people know what the truth is and we always stand in support of Isha.”

The former vice president of Boluvampatti panchayat Mr S P Velusami said “We have been on good terms with Isha even from before the Dhyanalinga consecration. It is only after Isha came that our area has received good roads, bus services and medical services. We will never forget the help Isha Volunteers rendered during the Corona pandemic. We are proud that the Isha Yoga Center, which has been praised by many globally including the Prime Minister is located in our village. Certain fake organizations have been spreading false accusations for the sake of money and to advertise themselves. We have been living here for many generations, don't we know what is true a what is untrue? Certain people have paid people from outside to come here and protest against Isha. They are trying to create unnecessary confusion and are trying to disturb the peace in our village. We strongly condemn such attempts”.

Mr Kumar, a member of the Thondamuthur farmers association advisory committee, said “The Velliangiri Uzhavan FPO that we started with Sadhguru’s guidance is the number one FPO in Tamil Nadu. The farmers in the Thondamuthur region have benefitted financially and otherwise as well. This being the reality certain people are trying to create law and order problems using the names of tribal people. The police authorities should not give permission to people from other districts to come here and conduct protests. If they still continue to do such activities then the locals will unite and expose their false statements and conspiracies.”

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