Tamil Nadu BJP President Criticizes Minister Over Non-Hindu Entry at Arunachaleshwar Temple

Tiruvannamalai, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : The president of the Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nayinar Nagendran, criticized state Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister S. Ramesh on Saturday. He accused the minister of bringing a Muslim individual into the Arunachaleshwar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, claiming it violated the temple’s rules and traditions. Nagendran called for action against the individual involved.

In a post on social media platform X, Nagendran alleged that the minister created unnecessary controversy in a society where communal harmony exists. He emphasized that those responsible for managing Hindu religious institutions must respect their sanctity and adhere to established customs.

The BJP leader referenced a 2024 ruling by the Madras High Court, which stated that non-Hindus should not be allowed beyond the flagpole at Tamil Nadu temples. He claimed that, despite this ruling, Minister Ramesh brought a Muslim man, who was wearing a cap, into the temple premises.

Nagendran condemned the alleged incident, accusing the minister of neglecting the Agama rules that govern worship and religious activities within the temple. He stated that the minister’s actions reflected arrogance, undermining the responsibility of protecting Hindu religious institutions.

He also mentioned an abhishekam ceremony at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, where V.M.S. Mustafa, a legislator from the Tamilaga Vetrik Kadagam (TVK), was seen in the front row. Nagendran questioned the motives behind the minister’s actions during both events, suggesting that the individual accompanying Ramesh was presented as his assistant.

He raised concerns about what the minister aimed to prove through these actions and what benefit they would bring. Nagendran pointed out that while individuals of other faiths may voluntarily visit Hindu temples out of personal belief, arranging such visits with the intent to stir controversy is unacceptable.

The BJP leader urged the minister to refrain from actions that could incite public outrage or disrupt social harmony. His objections primarily focused on the alleged disregard for religious restrictions and traditional norms during temple entry.

Nagendran called on authorities to file an immediate case against the individual who supposedly violated laws and Agama rules by entering the temple. He also demanded measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, there was no immediate response from Minister S. Ramesh or the temple administration regarding these allegations.