Chennai: Tension prevailed and at least 60 people were detained by the police for preventing Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department officials from taking over control of Ayodhya Mandapam at West Mambalam on Monday.
Despite strong protests, the department, armed with a Madras High Court order, took over the mandapam.
According to BJP councillor Uma Anandan, who was part of the protests, the move was illegal. She said the department had no business in taking over the Sri Ram Samaj-run Ayodhya Mandapam, which was not a temple.
When a team of HR&CE officials including Executive Officer Shakthi and Assistant Commissioner Kavithini came to the Sr Ram Samaj to execute the court order, protesters raised slogans against the move.
As the number of protesters increased, a police team led by T Nagar Deputy Commissioner G Ramar arrived at the spot.
The Ashok Nagar police registered a case against the protesters for offences punishable under four sections of IPC, including prevention of government servants from discharging their duty and unlawful assembly. The agitators were let off later.
An office-bearer of Sri Ram Samaj that manages the Mandapam, told News Today
: ‘The court direction is a shocker to us.’
On why they are opposing the taking over of the Mandapam by the HR&CE, he said, ‘the department can only take over temples built under Agama rules. Ayodhya Mandapam is neither a temple nor was constructed as per Agama rules. It is just a bhajana hall well maintained by the Samaj.’
The Mandapam was constructed in 1954. Periodic discourses on Vedas and Upanishads as well as several cultural meet-outs are organised throughout the year. In the month of March–April of every year, programmes in connection to Sri Rama Navami are very special at Ayodhya Mandapam.