Sitharaman Alleges "Anti-Hindu" Tamil Nadu Government Banned Live Telecast Of Ram Mandir Event, DMK Says "False Information"

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has alleged that Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government has banned watching the live telecast of Ayodhya Ram Mandir programmes of 22 January 2024.

She pointed out that there are over 200 temples of Lord Ram in Tamil Nadu. However, in Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowmants (HRCE) Act-managed temples no puja/bhajan/prasadam/annadanam in the name of Lord Ram is allowed, as per her post on X.

"Police are stopping privately held temples also from organising events. They are threatening organisers that they will rip off pandals. Strongly condemn this anti-Hindu, hateful action," Sitharaman alleged.

The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government responded by saying that the BJP is propagating "false information" to divert people's attention from the DMK Youth Conference in Salem, Hindustan Times reported.

Sitharaman further said, "Heart-breaking scenes in several parts of TN... Cable TV operators are told that there is a likely power shut down during the live telecast. This is INDI Alliance partner DMK’s anti-Hindu efforts."

HRCE Minister PK Sekar Babu clarified that the department has not imposed any limitations on devotees' freedom to offer food, conduct pujas in the name of Lord Ram or provide Prasad in Tamil Nadu temples.

Sitharaman also alleged that the TN government is "unofficially claiming law and order issues to justify the live telecast ban" and highlighted how there is no law and order issue citing Ayodhya verdict day and Mandir Bhoomipujan day.