Union Minister Sitharaman Accuses Tamil Nadu Government of Blocking Ayodhya Temple Telecast
In a series of social media posts on Sunday, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, for allegedly banning the live telecast of the scheduled Ram Temple programs in ayodhya on January 22. Sitharaman accused the state police of obstructing private temples from organizing events related to the consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya temple.
According to Sitharaman’s claims, Tamil Nadu has over 200 temples dedicated to Lord Ram, managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE). In these temples, activities such as puja, bhajan, prasadam, and annadanam in the name of Lord Ram are reportedly not permitted. Sitharaman further alleged that privately held temples are facing police interference, and organizers are being threatened with the dismantling of pandals.
The Finance Minister went on to claim that cable TV operators have been warned about possible power cuts during the live telecast of the Ram Temple programs. Sitharaman termed this move as an “anti-Hindu move” orchestrated by the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), a key partner in the INDIA alliance.
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Sitharaman accused the Tamil Nadu government of “unofficially” claiming law and order concerns to justify the ban on the live telecast. She asserted that no law and order issues were present on the day of the Ayodhya verdict or when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation, both significant events related to the Ram Temple.
In response to Sitharaman’s allegations, PK Sekar Babu, the minister of Hindu religious and charitable endowments, Tamil Nadu, condemned the spreading of false information. He stated that there are no limitations imposed on devotees’ freedom to offer food, conduct poojas in the name of Lord Ram, or provide prasad in Tamil Nadu temples.
This controversy adds to the political tension surrounding the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It comes at a time when various political parties express differing opinions on the event, and major opposition parties decline invitations, citing political motives behind what is deemed a religious ceremony. As of now, the Tamil Nadu government has not officially responded to the Finance Minister’s remarks, setting the stage for further developments in this escalating political narrative.
TN govt has banned watching live telecast of #AyodhaRamMandir programmes of 22 Jan 24. In TN there are over 200 temples for Shri Ram. In HR&CE managed temples no puja/bhajan/prasadam/annadanam in the name of Shri Ram is allowed. Police are stopping privately held temples also… pic.twitter.com/G3tNuO97xS
— Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) January 21, 2024
तमिलनाडु के कई हिस्सों में दिल दहला देने वाला और विचित्र दृश्य देखने को मिल रहा है।
लोगों को भजन आयोजित करने, गरीबों को खाना खिलाने, मिठाइयां बाटने, ख़ुशी मनाने से रोका जा रहा है और धमकाया जा रहा है, जबकि वह सब माननीय प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi को #Ayodhya में भगवान राम की…
— Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) January 21, 2024