Chennai: Tamilnadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P K Sekar Babu has said the administration of Ayodhya Mandapam (Sri Ram Samaj) at West Mambalam in the city, which is one of the famous landmark, was taken
over by the Department in line with the orders of the Madras High Court.
Giving a detailed reply on the matter raised by BJP members Vanathi
Srinivasan (Coimbatore South) during Zero Hour, he said the government
was awaiting a judgment from the Madras High Court and action would be
taken as per the orders and following the rules of the Department in
consultation with the Chief Minister.
Pointing out the the High Court had last month dismissed a plea seeking to
quash an order issued of the HR&CE Department to take over Ayodhya
Mandapam managed by Sri Ram Samaj, the Minister listed out some of the
activities of the Samaj and said a ‘group functioning there is exploiting the devotees’.
By making up an impression that the DMK government was against some
communities, some elements were trying to create law and order issues,
he said, adding, the Chief Minister would not hesitate to control such
attempts with an iron hand.
Deputy Leader of Opposition O Panneerselvam objected to a word used by Sekar Babu while referring to people in the Samaj exploiting the devotees. Chief Minister M K Stalin intervened and said a ‘group’ ( koottam) could be used in that reference.
Sekar Babu pointed out that while the Department officials were informed that there were no idols there, in its affidavit before the court the Samaj said the idols of Ram, Sitadevi and Hanuman were located there. Inspections, following a complaint of irregularities, revealed that the Samaj’s actions went against Section 6 (20) of the HR&CE Act, 1959, the Minister said.
Eventually, a Fit Person (Thakkar) was appointed for taking over the administration in 2013.
Later, Stalin said if the BJP unnecessarily tried to politicise the issue regarding Sri Ram Samaj (Ayodhya Mandapam) in the city which was taken over by the Government, and develop its party in the State, it would not happen.
Intervening Vanathi Srinivasan of BJP in the State Assembly who raised
the issue of the HR and CE department taking over the Ayodhya Mandapam,
a spiritual Centre being run by Ram Samaj at West Mambalam area in the city Monday, the Chief Minister said the matter was subjudice and the government was awaiting the court orders.
Stating that Minister P K Sekar Babu has given a detailed explanation
in his reply to the Special Call Attention motion on the issue, Stalin requested Vanathi Srinivasan to devote more attention to issues affecting the people.
He also asked her to support the State government in getting the due
funds from the Centre and referred to the memorandum submitted
by him to the Prime Minister recently.