Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman strongly criticized the Tamil Nadu government for its reported move to prohibit live streaming of worship at the new Ram temple. The state government retaliated against her statement on X, claiming that the BJP was attempting to shift focus away from the DMK Youth Congress in Salem.
Sitharaman highlighted that over 200 temples in the state are devoted to Lord Ram and expressed concern that the police are also preventing privately owned temples from organizing events.
Nirmala Sitharaman: Tamil Nadu Bans Ram Temple Live Telecast
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman raised concerns on Sunday, accusing temples under the administration of the Tamil Nadu government of prohibiting the worship of Lord Ram on the consecration day of the Ayodhya temple. Sitharaman expressed strong disapproval, labeling it an “anti-Hindu, hateful action.”
In a post on X, where she tagged a Tamil daily, Sitharaman claimed, “TN govt has banned watching live telecast of #AyodhaRamMandir programmes of 22 Jan 24. In TN there are over 200 temples for Shri Ram. In HR&CE managed temples no puja/bhajan/prasadam/annadanam in the name of Shri Ram is allowed. Police are stopping privately held temples also from organising events. They are threatening organisers that they will rip off pandals. Strongly condemn this anti-Hindu, hateful action.”
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DMK Government Clarifies
The DMK government has refuted a newspaper’s claim stating that it gave verbal instructions to restrict special ceremonies and the offering of free meals in the name of Ram at temples. The government dismisses the report as a deliberate attempt to tarnish its reputation and has announced plans to pursue legal action against the newspaper.
In an official statement, the state government highlighted that under MK Stalin’s leadership, the HR & CE department has overseen the consecration of 1,270 temples, provided daily free meals in 764 temples, and successfully restored 197 ancient temples—some dating back a thousand years—at a total cost of nearly 300 crore.
The government emphasized that the Hindu community in Tamil Nadu, including the opposition, is aware of these efforts and recognizes their significance.
PK Sekar Babu, the minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments in Tamil Nadu, clarified that there are no restrictions on devotees regarding offering food, conducting poojas in honor of Shri Ram, or providing prasad in temples. He expressed disappointment in the spread of inaccurate information by individuals like Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently visiting Tamil Nadu, is set to travel to Ayodhya tomorrow for the consecration of the new Ram Temple. The significant ceremony is expected to draw over 6,000 attendees, comprising politicians and celebrities. During his time in Tamil Nadu today, PM Modi took part in various temple prayers.
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Tamil Nadu Bans Ram Temple Live Telecast FAQs
Q.1. Why did Nirmala Sitharaman criticize the Tamil Nadu government?
Ans. Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the Tamil Nadu government for reportedly prohibiting the live streaming of worship at the new Ram temple in Ayodhya. She expressed concern that this action was anti-Hindu and highlighted restrictions on activities related to Lord Ram in over 200 temples in the state.
Q.2. What was the Tamil Nadu government’s response to Sitharaman’s criticism?
Ans. The Tamil Nadu government, under the leadership of MK Stalin, refuted the claim that it gave verbal instructions to restrict special ceremonies and free meals in the name of Ram at temples. The government dismissed the report as a deliberate attempt to tarnish its reputation and announced plans to pursue legal action against the newspaper.
Q.3. What clarification did PK Sekar Babu provide?
Ans. PK Sekar Babu clarified that there are no restrictions on devotees regarding offering food, conducting poojas in honor of Shri Ram, or providing prasad in temples. He expressed disappointment in the spread of inaccurate information by individuals like Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Q.4. What efforts did the Tamil Nadu government highlight in its official statement?
Ans. The Tamil Nadu government, under MK Stalin’s leadership, highlighted the consecration of 1,270 temples, daily free meals in 764 temples, and the successful restoration of 197 ancient temples, some dating back a thousand years. The total cost of these efforts amounted to nearly 300 crore.
Q.5. What significant event is Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending in Ayodhya?
Ans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the consecration of the new Ram Temple in Ayodhya. During his visit to Tamil Nadu, he participated in various temple prayers. The ceremony is expected to draw over 6,000 attendees, including politicians and celebrities.
