A mobile phone ban for devotees. But are the rules the same for everyone? Days after Tamil Nadu’s new restrictions on camera-enabled phones inside major temples came into force, visuals from Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman Temple appear to show CPM MP Su. Venkatesan’s entourage carrying mobile phones inside the temple premises.
Critics have condemned and questioned how CPM Madurai MP Su Venkatesan and other party cadres were seen using mobile phones inside the temple premises despite the ban on carrying smartphones. The restriction was introduced to prevent devotees from shooting reels, taking photographs and recording videos of deities inside temples.
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) ban on carrying cell phones inside major temples across the state came into effect on September 1, 2026. The ban has initially been implemented in 52 select temples and is expected to be extended in phases.
The ban has drawn strong opposition from devotees and members of the public, who say it was a unilateral decision that could inconvenience families, elderly devotees and those visiting temples in groups. Critics have also alleged that the move could discourage temple visits, particularly among Hindus. They have questioned why similar restrictions are not imposed at other places of worship and demanded that the decision be withdrawn immediately, allowing devotees to visit temples without having to pay ₹5 to deposit their phones at security counters.
Devotees have also rejected the justification given by HR&CE Minister Ramesh that the ₹5 charge would help meet the operational costs of the facilities used for depositing mobile phones and support temple infrastructure and annadanam.
They argue that temples already have staff employed and paid by the department, some of whom could be deployed to manage the phone-deposit counters. They have questioned why devotees should be charged for the service. On annadanam, devotees have pointed out that donors have already deposited funds in banks, with the interest being used for the purpose on designated days. They have questioned where additional funds are being utilised.
HR&CE Minister Ramesh cited directives of the Madras High Court issued after instances were noticed of devotees, particularly youngsters, shooting reels and taking photographs inside temple premises in violation of guidelines. The minister had announced in the Assembly that the ban on mobile phones would be implemented in major temples from September 1.
Critics, however, say that instead of imposing a blanket ban on mobile phones, the authorities should have targeted the specific activities that violate temple rules and confiscated devices when such violations occur. They have described the blanket restriction as an ill-conceived move.
Following strong public opposition, HR&CE Minister Ramesh clarified on September 2 that the ₹5 collected from devotees depositing their phones was not intended to generate revenue, but to meet the operational costs involved in maintaining the phone-deposit counters.
In a statement, the minister said the mobile phone ban could subsequently be extended to medium-sized and smaller temples. The uniform ₹5 charge, he said, had been fixed keeping this possibility in mind, as smaller temples could otherwise find it difficult to bear the maintenance costs entirely on their own.
The minister also clarified that there is no restriction on carrying basic mobile phones that do not have facilities to take photographs or record videos. Arrangements have also been made through temple officials and security personnel to assist devotees in emergencies.
“There is no restriction on carrying basic mobile phones that do not have facilities to take photographs or record videos. Arrangements have also been made through temple officials and security personnel to assist devotees in emergencies,” the minister said, requesting devotees to cooperate with the implementation.
There have also been unconfirmed reports that depositing mobile phones is not compulsory and that devotees can decide whether to hand them over. Devotees, however, have said the process causes inconvenience, particularly as they have to deposit their phones and later collect them after standing in queues for darshan.
Elderly devotees, senior citizens and children are among those said to be particularly affected by the restriction. The minister had clarified from the outset that basic mobile phones without cameras would be permitted, while smartphones with cameras would remain restricted inside the 52 major temples. However, with smartphones now being used by the vast majority of people, critics argue that basic button phones are rarely used.
One netizen, posting photographs of Su Venkatesan, questioned the apparent discrepancy, writing:
“Camera phones are banned inside the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. However, MP Su. Venkatesan & the Communist Party members accompanying him are using their mobile phones inside the temple. Are the devotees who stand in line, pay ₹5, and deposit their phones merely fools?”
The post was accompanied by photographs of Venkatesan and his entourage inside the temple.
While the public is being asked to deposit mobile phones, critics have questioned why CPM MP Su Venkatesan and the party members accompanying him were seen using mobile phones inside the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. The incident has triggered questions among devotees over whether party members were exempted from the restrictions and whether the use of mobile phones was deliberate or accidental.
BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan had earlier said there should be no objection to prohibiting reels featuring cinema songs from being made inside temples and posted on social media. However, she said a blanket ban on mobile phones would cause difficulties for devotees and suggested restricting such activities specifically inside the sanctum sanctorum.
