Tamil Nadu: Nagathamman temple demolition stirs debate on fairness in encroachment drive

In yet another instance of encroachment clearance and following court orders, a temple in the Maduravoyal locality of Chennai was razed down, eliciting distress and criticism from devotees and Hindu organisations. The demolition of the Nagathamman temple, which stood for half a century, was executed by authorities in compliance with a directive from the Madras High Court, stirring emotions among devotees who clung to the deity in tears as the temple was dismantled.

The temple, situated on Market Sannathi Street in Maduravoyal, had been under legal scrutiny since 2019 when a petition was filed by Santhi Munirathnam, citing disturbances caused by worshippers to her household’s vicinity. Despite initial opposition and retreat by officials during an attempted demolition in March 2024, the temple faced its final demolition on April 22, 2024, under the protection of over 100 police officers.

The demolition sparked controversy as devotees questioned the apparent bias in targeting Hindu temples while allegedly sparing churches and mosques built on encroached land or government properties. Devotees lamented the perceived differential treatment by authorities, pointing out instances where mosques and churches remained untouched despite similar encroachment violations.

The demolition process faced initial resistance from locals and Hindu organisations during a survey conducted by revenue department officials and the Chennai Corporation on March 26, 2024. Despite opposition, a formal notice was issued, and eventually, over 100 police officers were deployed to ensure the temple’s removal, along with the portion encroaching upon the plaintiff’s property.

The demolition has sparked questions and allegations of bias, with devotees questioning why only Hindu temples are being targeted while other religious structures, including mosques and churches, allegedly built on encroached lands, have not faced similar actions. Devotees expressed concerns over the perceived favouritism given to mosques and churches, citing instances where authorities diverted routes to avoid demolishing a mosque that encroached upon public space.

Furthermore, allegations have surfaced claiming that over 250 temples have been demolished during the three-year regime of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu. This has fueled sentiments of discrimination and unequal treatment towards Hindu temples in the state.