Chidambaram temple row: Devotees offer prayer from ‘Kanagasabai medai’

The temple Tuesday evening witnessed high drama as members of the HR and CE department reportedly entered the Kanagasabai with the assistance of the police. The visuals of the incident were shared widely on social media.

Based on a complaint by Saranya, the HR and CE executive officer, the Chidambaram police registered a case against 11 ‘Podhu Dhikshitars’ under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including preventing a public servant from discharging duty.

Meanwhile, T S Sivarama Dikshitar, secretary of ‘Podhu Dhikshitars’, told media that two HR and CE officials, women police personnel, entered Kanagasabai illegally and pushed aside a Dhikshitar. His lawyer noted that they have responded to the incident legally and claimed that the government and the HR and CE department for the past year have been making efforts to gain control of the temple.

On the other hand, HR and CE Minister P K Sekar Babu lashed out at the Dhikshitars saying that they are acting like power centres in the temple and measures have been taken to bring the temple under the ambit of HR and CE department.

“Devotees trust archakars and place them next to God. If they themselves take law on their own hands how can it be accepted? Gradually, we will overcome all hurdles and take over the administrative control of the temple with the approval of the court,” Sekar Babu noted.