Days after Tamil Nadu’s new restrictions on mobile phones inside major temples came into force, visuals from Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman Temple appear to show members of Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan’s entourage carrying mobile phones inside the temple premises.
The timing raises questions over how uniformly the government’s new rules are being enforced. From September 1, camera-enabled mobile phones have been restricted inside 52 major temples in Tamil Nadu, including the Meenakshi Amman Temple, with devotees required to deposit them at designated counters, subject to specified exemptions.
Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan on September 4 hailed the reconstruction of the historic Veeravasantharayar Mandapam at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, describing it as the tallest stone pavilion built in Tamil Nadu after the era of kings.
In a detailed post, Venkatesan praised chief sculptor V.P. Vel Murugan and the team of artisans involved in reconstructing the nearly 400-year-old mandapam, which was badly damaged in the 2018 fire.
He also credited the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, temple officials and others involved in the nearly eight-year restoration effort.
தமிழக வரலாற்றில் மன்னராட்சி காலத்திற்குப் பிறகு இவ்வளவு உயரமான கல் மண்டபம் இப்பொழுதுதான் எழுப்பப்பட்டுள்ளது.
வீரவசந்தராயர் மண்டபத்தை சிறப்புற மறுஉருவாக்கம் செய்துள்ள தலைமை சிற்பி
வி. பி. வேல்முருகன் அவர்களுக்கும், அவருடன் இணைந்து செயல்பட்ட சிற்பக் கலைஞர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் எனது… pic.twitter.com/lEnco0PBWP— Su Venkatesan MP (@SuVe4Madurai) September 4, 2026
But visuals from Venkatesan’s temple visit have raised questions over the enforcement of the new phone restrictions.
From September 1, camera-enabled mobile phones have been prohibited inside 52 major temples, including the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Devotees are required to deposit their phones at designated counters, with exemptions for certain categories.
The HR&CE Department has also barred photography, videography, selfies and reels inside temple premises, including for VIPs and public figures.
Yet, visuals from Venkatesan’s visit appear to show members of his entourage carrying mobile phones inside the temple.
மதுரை மீனாட்சி அம்மன் கோயிலுக்கு கேமரா வசதியுள்ள செல்போன்களை கொண்டு செல்லக்கூடாது என்ற தடை அமலில் உள்ள நிலையில்,
மதுரை எம்.பி. சு.வெங்கடேசனும், அவருடன் வந்த கம்யூனிஸ்ட் கட்சியினரும் செல்போன்களை வைத்துக்கொண்டு புகைப்படம் எடுத்து, கோயிலுக்குள் செல்போனில் பேசிக்கொண்டு… pic.twitter.com/nAtkeVhVHH
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) September 5, 2026
The government must clarify whether the phones were camera-enabled, whether those carrying them qualified for an exemption, or whether special permission was granted.
The question is simple: if the rule applies to devotees, does it also apply to those accompanying political leaders?
With Venkatesan himself highlighting the temple’s heritage and sanctity in his post, the apparent exception has only made the issue more conspicuous.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
