In a scathing attack on the Dravidian model DMK government in Tamil Nadu, Hindu Munnani State President Gadeshwara C Subramaniam accused the administration of deliberately targeting Hindu temples under the guise of an elephant corridor draft report. The statement comes amidst growing tensions between the government and Hindu organisations over alleged encroachments and restrictions on temple access.
Subramaniam condemned the government’s forest department for releasing a draft report identifying 42 elephant corridors in the state, alleging that it was a ploy to obstruct devotees’ access to temples. He claimed that the report aimed to conceal existing elephant corridors while imposing restrictions on devotees visiting prominent temples such as Marudhamalai and Velliangiri Hills.
Highlighting specific instances, Subramaniam pointed out the plight of temples like Sorimuthayanar in Tirunelveli and Veerakaliamman in Coimbatore, which reportedly face significant restrictions due to forest department control over their surroundings. He also criticised the alleged inaction of the government and forest department regarding elephant corridors near the Karunya Institute, associated with Christian preacher Paul Dhinakaran.
Subramaniam accused the DMK government of favouritism, suggesting that its Christian affiliations influenced its stance on environmental issues and temple access. He contrasted the purported leniency towards Christian establishments with the alleged scrutiny faced by the Isha Centre, known for its environmental and spiritual initiatives.
The Hindu Munnani’s statement reflects a broader sentiment among Hindu organisations, who have long voiced concerns over perceived encroachments on temple lands and restrictions on devotees’ access. The issue has become increasingly contentious, with clashes between devotees and authorities reported in various parts of the state.
Subramaniam highlighted the case of the renowned Marudhamalai temple, where he alleged that the elephant corridor designation was being exploited to inconvenience devotees. He raised fears that the DMK government might order the forest department to designate the temple as an elephant corridor, hindering worship activities. Marudhamalai temple holds significant religious importance for devotees, who consider it the seventh abode of Lord Muruga in the Kongu zone.
The Hindu Munnani leader also criticised the treatment of temples compared to other institutions, such as Karunya College, which he claimed deliberately concealed the damage caused to wild animals, including elephants. Subramaniam questioned the justification behind designating only temples as part of the elephant corridor, raising concerns about potential biases in the decision-making process.
Moreover, Subramaniam pointed out instances of temple demolitions without providing alternative places for devotees under various pretexts, such as road expansion and encroachment. He questioned whether there was a separate set of rules for Hindus in Tamil Nadu and whether the DMK government’s alleged atheistic stance influenced its actions against Hindu temples.
Concluding his statement, Subramaniam warned against accepting proposals for new elephant corridors if they infringed upon the rights of Hindus under the guise of elephant protection. He pledged to mobilise devotees and stage massive demonstrations if obstacles to entry at important temples like Marudhamalai and Poondi persisted.
Meanwhile, on May 6, 2024, farmers from the Thondamuthur region in Coimbatore had staged a protest against the TN Forest Department’s recommendation to designate agricultural lands, which have been thriving for generations, as elephant corridors.
Talking to media, Kumar, a farmer from Thondamuthur and the Chairman of Velliangiri Uzhavan Producer Company Limited located in Coimbatore, said “ the recent news article highlighted the Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s identification of 42 new elephant corridors across Tamil Nadu. Upon reviewing the draft report published on the department’s website, it was discovered that 4 new elephant corridors were proposed in Coimbatore alone. The areas listed as elephant corridors included farmlands, residences, and temples belonging to agricultural members”.
They said “no farmers from their area were consulted during the purported study conducted by the forest Department; the draft report was prepared by individuals with limited knowledge of the region’s intricate topography and ecological dynamics. The absence of any historical instances of elephant migration in their area raised doubts about the credibility of such designations”. The farming community strongly oppose the proposal to acquire 450 acres of land to establish and expand non-existent elephant corridors, as outlined in the report. They appealed to DMK government to reconsider the designation of the “Velliangiri Andavar Temple – Marudamalai” as an elephant corridor.
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