When atheists are given administrative charges, it is widely believed that religious institutions will be left on their own. It’s because atheists proclaim that they have nothing to do with religion. But, practically observable attacks on Hindu Temples in Tamil Nadu describes a totally different story.
The surge in attacks on Tamil Nadu Mandirs
The last few months have witnessed a soaring rise in attacks on Mandirs in Tamil Nadu. In fact, during the first week of the Christian new year, 4 incidents of Murti vandalism have been reported from the southern state.
A total of 3 Mandirs have been attacked during the past one week. Amman Mandir in Perambalur, Durga Devi Mandir in Ranipet and Murti of Shri Krishna in Coimbatore were vandalised by attackers. Meanwhile, due to lethargic actions by Tamil Nadu Police, only one of the vandalists has been nabbed. Moreover, just after his arrest, police labelled him as ‘mentally unstable’.
The arrest was made in relation to the attack on Amman Mandir in Perambalpur. The accused Periyaswamy is a 50-year-old man belonging to Melamathur village; the same village in which Mandir was attacked. The man was arrested after people watched him wandering through the village streets with Trishul in his hand
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Tamil Nadu Police has no idea about attackers
Similarly, in Attipattu village next to Kaveripakkam in Ranipet district, the Pujari of ancient Durgayaman Mandir was shocked when on 2nd January, he found that Navagraha Sannidhi’s idols were broken. The Trishul was also lying in a broken state. As per reports available, police have not been able to handcuff the perpetrator of the attack.
In Coimbatore, the Murtis of Sri Krishna were found in a vandalised state by the public. The Murti was placed in a park for everyone to visit and offer their prayers. Park is maintained by the Coimbatore Corporation and is open to the public. When people found it in a broken state, they started to raise slogans against the government. Soon, police visited the spot, but could not nab the vandaliser. People demanded for higher-level authorities to talk. Later, BJP MLA, Vanathi Srinivasan visited the site in order to talk to devotees.
Attackers are trying to bleed Hindus with slow but 1000 cuts
These attacks are not a one-of assault on Hindu Mandirs. In December, local media widely reported a series 3 such attacks on Mandirs in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, In October-November, Perambalur had witnessed similar rounds of attacks on Mandirs. Interestingly, all those Mandirs are sub-Mandirs of famous Madura Kaliamman Mandir in Siruvachur. Moreover, they are under the control of the state government-controlled Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (TNHRCE).
3rd time attacked. Siruvachur temple. This is unbelievable. Who could possibly be behind this. CCTV was installed by the administration. We need a closure on this @tnpoliceoffl @annamalai_k @sundarrajachola @CMOTamilnadu @ikkmurugan @Selvakumar_IN @MaridhasAnswers @zeneraalstuff pic.twitter.com/0xeGBkaoyA
— karthik gopinath(மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@karthikgnath) November 9, 2021
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In September, a Muslim man was nabbed by Police for setting fire to a Rath in a village in Perambalpur. Apparently, the Muslim man had done it for his ‘curiosity’. In spite of him being in an excellent cognitive state, police had let him free by branding him as mentally ill.
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Stalin Government’s deafening silence on the issue
Ever since the Stalin government came to power, anti-Hindu organisations are on rampage in Tamil Nadu. Even though Stalin has proclaimed himself as an atheist, results of few of his policies have been found tilting towards the promotion of Christianity in the state. Apart from his politically opportunistic visits to Hindu institutions, Stalin has shown no proclivity towards Hindus’ welfare in the state. In fact, many Mandirs have been destroyed by his administration. Anti-Hindu and anti-Brahmin Periyarists are currently running routes in the state.
Read more: Godless DMK government will melt gold ornaments donated to Tamil Nadu temples
Hindu devotees’ faith is not secured in Tamil Nadu. Mandirs are one of the few places where they spend some free time offering prayers to Bhagawan. Now, even they are not secured. Stalin government either needs to clearly declare that Hindus have no place in the state, or he should take up efforts to save their traditions.