In a distressing turn of events at the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department and the police stormed into the Kanakasabai (Golden Platform) during the ongoing Aani Thirumanjanam festival. This move has sparked outrage and condemnation from the temple authorities and devotees.
Traditionally, during the Aani Thirumanjanam festival, which spans from 24 June to 27 June this year, devotees are not allowed to enter the Kanakasabai to ensure the smooth handling of the large crowds that visit the temple during this period. However, the HR & CE officials and over 100 policemen defied this and entered the Kanakasabai during the sacred rituals. As a result, the Deekshitars, who are the custodians of the temple, protested against this intrusion, and 11 Deekshitars were booked for obstructing the officials.
@CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin @PKSekarbabu @Udhaystalin
* தீட்சிதர்களை கீழே தள்ளி வஸ்திரம், அவர்கள் பூணூல் அறுந்து விழும் அளவுக்கு அங்கு என்ன கொலை நடந்ததா ?
*நேரில் கம்பளைண்ட் கொடுக்க பயந்து ரெஜிஸ்டர் தபாலில் அனுப்ப வேண்டிய அளவில் உள்ளது சட்டம் ஒழுங்கு காக்க வேண்டிய துறை. ஏன் சார்? pic.twitter.com/2Csldsqlnq— Dhivakar
🚩 திவாகர் 🚩
The HR & CE officials justified their entry by claiming that a Government Order (GO) had been issued, and they were simply implementing it. The Deekshitars, who opposed their entry, faced physical aggression, with their clothes torn and their sacred threads (janeu) cut in the process.
However, Chidambaram police officials have denied that such an incident happened. They say that officials had entered the platform to allow worship as per the government order.
The Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, managed by the Deekshitars for thousands of years, has historically changed darshan timings and programs during festivals to accommodate the influx of devotees. The recent interference by the government administration, misrepresenting the temple’s announcement and changing the darshan from Kanakasabai, has caused confusion and unrest among the temple-goers.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the government cannot interfere in the management of the temple. Despite this ruling, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government has continued to create controversy through the HR & CE department, causing disturbance and unrest among the Deekshitars and the devotees.
Article published earlier on The Commune republished in lieu of content sharing agreement with smart4bharat.com
- Assam: Muslim youths abducted two minor Hindu girls and gang-raped them; one died - July 7, 2023
- Kerala YouTuber arrested for protesting against Muslim restaurant owner for using Hindu religious symbols for duping Hindus - July 5, 2023
- TN police strangulate Free Press: Files FIR against Commune for reporting on Chidambaram Temple row - July 3, 2023