Tamil Nadu: 11 Chidambaram Dikshitars Booked By Police For Allegedly Obstructing HRCE Official

The police have booked a case against 11 Dikshithars of the Natarajar temple for allegedly obstructing an official of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) department from performing her duties.

Saranya, the Executive Officer of the Thillai Kali Temple in Chidambaram, filed a complaint with the police stating that she was prevented from performing her duties during her visit to the temple on 24 June.

She said that she had requested the Podu Dikshithars (who are the hereditary archakas of the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram) to remove the board announcing temporary restrictions on devotees offering worship from the Kanagasabhai mandapam in the Natarajar temple since it violated a G.O. issued by the Tamil Nadu Government regarding the matter.

However, the Dikshithars refused to remove the board, she said.

The police have booked a case against Sivarama Dikshithar, secretary of the Podu Dikshithars Committee, and 10 other Dikshithars under Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 506 (i) of the Indian Penal Code (punishment for criminal intimidation), read with section 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act, 2002, based on her complaint.

HRCE officials accompanied by police removed the board yesterday (26 June).

G Chandrasekhar, the legal counsel of the Podhu Dikshitars has said that a malicious campaign is being undertaken against them over the issue of not allowing devotees to climb up the Kanagasabhai mandapam.

He said that this restriction was imposed due to the large number of people coming to the temple on the occasion of the Aani Thirumanjanam festival.

Further, he said that this restriction has been followed since time immemorial. He alleged that a Dikshitar who was expelled from the committee was behind the campaign.

He added that the HRCE department had no authority over the temple.

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