“Tamil Nadu: DMK Government faces backlash as mandir pandits arrested for donation collection”, Organiser, April 30, 2024:
“The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has found himself at the centre of a storm after the reported arrest of Mandir pandits for collecting donations. This move has been decried as a clear instance of fascism and discrimination.
Noted author and speaker Shefali Vaidya, in a post on X, has alleged that the pandits receive meager salaries from the State’s Human Rights Commission, while the funds in the Mandir Hundi are allegedly misappropriated by the Government.
It was customary for pandits to retain donations placed on Aarti plates by devotees. However, under the current administration, accusations have arisen, suggesting the State Government’s interference in this practice. The arrest of Mandir Pandits has sparked widespread condemnation, with concerns raised over the violation of religious freedoms and the livelihoods of priests…..”
Read the full article at Organiser.org
