In a longstanding conflict spanning over 70 years, the government of Tamil Nadu has been engaged in a legal battle with the Chidambaram Dikshitars, the priestly class responsible for administering the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple. The temple, known for its ancient rituals and prayers passed down through generations, has become the center of a heated dispute. Recent months have seen a surge in allegations, including child marriage and invasive medical tests conducted on minor girls belonging to the Chidambaram Dikshitar families.
The controversy reached new heights when the HR and CE personnel entered the temple premises, leading to a confrontation. The temple was preparing for its annual festival, a significant event that attracts thousands of devotees. The Chidambaram Nataraja, the main deity, was scheduled to be taken out from the sanctum for the procession. However, tensions escalated due to the placement of the deity and the limited space available in the Kanakasabai. Additionally, the influx of devotees, which increased after the COVID-19 pandemic, created challenges in managing the crowd.
The Dikshitars have not imposed any restrictions or special darshan tickets, allowing devotees to have quick access to the deity within a few minutes. This practice differed from other renowned temples like Meenakshi or Tiruchendur, where long queues are common. However, with the rise in visitors, the temple faced overcrowding issues in its narrow premises.
Amidst these circumstances, the Tamil Nadu government, without consulting the Dikshitars, passed a government order (G.O.) to assume administration of the temple. The Supreme Court’s previous judgments had affirmed that the administration of the Chidambaram temple should remain with the Dikshitars, a denominational community, and any objections raised by devotees should be addressed through inquiries. The Dikshitars argued that the G.O. disregarded these legal provisions.
As the situation unfolded, several criminal cases were filed against the Dikshitars. One case alleged child marriage, leading to arrests and accusations of conducting two-finger tests on minor girls. These actions sparked outrage and condemnation, with demands for a thorough investigation into the alleged violations of child rights. While the legal cases are still under investigation, it is essential to protect the rights of the children involved. Leaked photographs and videos of the alleged minors have caused concerns about the privacy and dignity of the victims. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) conducted an inquiry into the matter, and various stakeholders, including the Dikshitars and their legal representatives, cooperated with the investigation.
According to G Chandrasekhar, an advocate for the Dikshitars, the codified law states that only married Dikshitars are allowed to perform the Chandramouleeshwarar pooja at the temple. Since the legal age for marriage is 21, there should be no room for child marriages. He provides an example of a child marriage that occurred in Cuddalore district.
In this case, instead of making arrests or conducting clinical examinations, the social welfare department provided counseling to the parents. However, in the case of the Dikshitars, the state government conducted tests even though the Supreme Court did not mandate such actions. Interestingly, in the child marriage case, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act was invoked to enable arrests.
However, in an attempt to mitigate the damage caused by the controversy, the Dikshitars expressed their willingness to abide by the law and respect child rights. However, there remains a call for the Supreme Court to intervene and initiate a suo motu inquiry into the alleged violations. Such an inquiry would ensure a fair assessment of the situation and uphold the principles of justice and protection for the rights of the child. The series of incidents have caused severe trauma to the Dikshitars and their families over the past months.
As the legal proceedings continue, the resolution of this contentious issue will require a balanced and thorough examination of all the facts, keeping in mind the best interests of the children involved.
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