Four priests of Vanabadrakaliamman Mandir were arrested on Thursday (25 April) because they took home donations falling on the plate. The move has angered Hindu devotees who pointed out the discrimination meted out to temple priests. It is well known that the MK Stalin-led DMK is anti-Hindu, with his son Udhayanidhi Stalin calling for the annihilation of Hindu Dharma.

It must be highlighted that temple priests draw meagre salaries while the government appropriates temple funds. Traditionally, however, the priests retained the money placed on Arati plates by devotees. Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department’s Assistant Commissioner US Kailasamurthy said that as per a government order, all donations received on the plates should be put into the hundi.

The DMK government’s action is nothing but an intrusion into the religious freedom of Hindus. Only Hindu temple funds are appropriated by the Government. This incident proves yet again why temples need to be freed from Government control. It is also worth pointing out that Mandir Pujaris get nothing out of the collection and have to live on meagre salaries. However, Imams and Padres are funded by State Governments. There is an urgency to ensure that Adharmics like DMK are kept away from temples and temple funds.

(Featured Image Source: Organiser)