HC calls for action taken report on protests around Thillai Nataraj Temple

Five worshippers file a joint public interest litigation petition alleging sensationalisation of a non-issue

The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Cuddalore Collector to file an action taken report on a representation made by some worshippers of Chidambaram Sabhanayakar Temple, popularly known as Thillai Natarajar temple, to prevent ongoing protests against alleged discrimination in worship.

Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy ordered that the report must be filed in court by April 22. The interim direction was issued on a public interest litigation petition, filed jointly by S.R. Ramanathan, Prasanna Rajkumar, G. Sekhar, P. Annamalai and K. Maniratnam.

The petitioners pointed out that the Thillai Natarajar temple had five halls– Sit Sabha, Kanaka Sabha, Deva Sabha, Nrithiya Sabha and Raja Sabha. Among these, Kanaka Sabha had become the subject of a recent controversy, which had led to a few political parties having sensationalised the issue, they said.

Stating that the temple was “secular” and does not prohibit entry on the basis of religion or caste, the petitioners said, the Dikshithars, who manage the temple, had recently decided not to allow devotees to enter the Kanaka Sabha to prevent crowding since it was small and could hold only 20-30 people.

However, a disinformation campaign was run on the social media as if the Dikshitars prevent entry on the basis of caste and the issue was being politicised, leading to protests around the temple, the petitioners lamented.