Tamil Nadu Mutt heads are under duress to fall in line with the ruling DMK

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T S Venkatesan

There has been an invisible attempt to silence the sadhus, sanyasis, seers, and mutt heads and make them dance to the tune of rationalist-Dravidian forces ever since the DMK government came to power.

In the pretext of getting input for debate on grants for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE) led by the DMK government, all Saiva and Vaishnavaite mutt heads were invited for a consultative meet on 27th April at Chennai. It is a million-dollar question what transpired between them in the meeting. After the meeting, interacting with the media, they urged the CM to reconvene the Aanmega Peravai (religious forum) comprising Heads of Hindu religious mutts (Adheenams). Dharmapuri Adheenam Desika Gnana Paramacharya Swamigal said the meeting facilitated a platform for discussing issues pertaining to temples and the various institutions run by them.

Dharmapuram Adinam said “Tamil Nadu is a spiritual state. We see our policy as the government taking care of its policy. The government does not interfere in our policy. Noted that there are separate legal programs that are for possessions and consecration of many temples held”.

The Adheenam also urged that the religious heads, including Jeeyars, Sankaracharya, and Aadheenams be permitted to perform their duties per the religious tenets. Before they reach their homes, the government dropped a bombshell by banning the centuries-old Pattana Pravesam (entering the city) ritual against human rights. During the ritual the Dharmapuri adheenam would be carried in a palanquin by his shishyas or disciples. The BJP, Hindu Munnani, VHP, AIADMK and others demanded the ban should be lifted. DMK made a U-turn and allowed the ritual to take place this year.

“DMK government is anti-Hindu govt., regularly attacking the Hindu rituals, cultures & traditions. After strong opposition, the govt. has revoked the ban on ‘Pattana Pravesam’ of the Dharumapuram Adheenam “, BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy told the news agency ANI.

Amidst protests over a ban on Pattana Pravesam issue, potinffs and representatives of various mutts in TN called on CM Stalin on 7th May. They lauded the efforts of the DMK government in temple restoration projects and in retrieval of temple properties. It is a plain truth that under the DMK regime, more than 150 temples were, allegedly, razed down, and permissions were denied for Hindu temple festivals.

The successive meetings were held all of a sudden, and after the meeting, all praised the government knowing fully well that they are misleading the people with ‘blatant lies’. DMK government wants to remove the Anti-Hindu stigma attached to it.

DMK and DK filed complaints against Mannargudi Sri Sendalangara Jeeyar to silence questioning voices. “The Hindu religion is targetted. Are they trying to destroy the Hindu religion? Even the British were not successful in doing that, what can these people do? God will take care of everything,” he said. The seer said that no minister or MLA could walk free if they interfere with Hindu rituals and beliefs.

“TN Governor’s participation in a function at Dharampuram mutt (where his security was compromised) and his speech that ‘TN is the spiritual capital of the Bharat’ is unwelcome for DMK which has been on loggerhead with him. It wanted his recall as he is not toeing the line. Through this ban, it wants to give a clear signal to others not to invite governor” says journalist ASridharan.

In a video of a press meeting, when the Srivilliputhur Sadagopa Ramanuja Jeeyar was replying to reporters, TN HR and CE minister Sekarbabu, who seated next to him, was heard prompting repeatedly ( the audio is clear) and forcing him to praise the CM Stalin and thank him. The Seer left with no option to say the same. Imagine what would have happened in closed doors if the minister could force a mutt head to do what he wanted in front of the media and lense.
If we analyze the above incidents, something is amiss and puzzling. The seers, Sanyasis, Sadhus, and Mutt heads are under duress from the government. When will the cat come out to tell the truth?

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