We want the Dikshithar families to be happy but we have a right to ask the temple for accounts if there are complaints of financial irregularities. We will not hold back if devotees are restrained from having darshan –HR & CE minister Sekar Babu
In light of the ongoing battle between the Dikshithars of Chidambaram and the HR & CE, minister PK Sekar Babu told this writer in a conversation today at the HR & CE headquarters that as per the act, the HR &CE has a right to ask for the accounts based on complaints from devotees or if they come to know of financial irregularities.
He made it clear that he wanted all the Dikshithar families to lead a happy life but when there are complaints about the Dikshithars, the HR & CE has a right to ask for the accounts. He posed a question as to why they are not ready to show the accounts to the Government that is the elected representative of the people when they say they are ready to pay Income Tax and also show the accounts to the public.
Sekar Babu told this writer that they have received numerous complaints on various issues relating to the Dikshithars including denying the right to have darshan, and forcibly taking money from the devotees.
He said that this is a temple built by the kings in public interest for devotees to have darshan and that their rights cannot be denied. He said that it is in the larger devotee interest that the HR &CE has had to take action.
He expressed confidence that the court will provide a fair judgement on this issue in the interest of the devotees.
Temple Activist objects to Govt Interference
It may be recalled that it was temple activist TR Ramesh (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2018/02/tr-ramesh-temple-activist.html) along with Subramaniam Swamy who secured back for the Dikshithars their hereditary rights at the Sabanayakar temple in Chidambaram after the temple had been taken over by the HR & CE a decade ago.
Ramesh told this writer on Wednesday afternoon soon after his departure from the Court that the Government has no administrative rights over any temple in TN and definitely not over the Chidambaram temple that belongs solely to the Pothu Dikshithars.
He said that for the Government to pass a ‘GO’ even if it is in the interest of the devotees, there has to be a section under which it has to be passed and that it cannot be passed arbitrarily. Under which section has this Government Order been passed, he asked.
Moreover Section 107 of the HR & CE act says that no orders can be passed against the fundamental rights of a denomination temple.
An old photo of TR Ramesh at his fiery best
Kanaka Sabhai is a sacred pooja zone, almost an extension of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Earlier few people were allowed for special archanai but with crowd swelling in recent times, the Dikshithars had stopped the darshan.
He said that the Collector has written to the Government that as per the agamas, darshan could be allowed. Ramesh clarified that this is a Vedic Temple belonging to the Pothu Dikshithars and not an Agama temple.
He also clarified that historically Kings built temples and handed over to the respective Sampradaya. He cited the example of Nagore Dargah being built by Pratap Simmah Maharaja of the Maratha Kingdom ruling from Thanjavur and his son later handing out lands to the Dargah.
Minister Sekar Babu had told this writer a couple of months back that he would not be cowed down by temple activists and that he will continue to do what he believes is right for the devotees (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2023/05/hr-ce-minister-sekar-babu-on-roll.html).
This section will track the developments on this long standing battle between the Pothu Dikshithars and the Government.