The Madras High Court has asked should not the government treat all religious institutions on par and whether temples should continue to remain under its “thumb.” Justice G R Swaminathan of the HC bench has here noted that Tamil Nadu was a land of temples where the shrines have played a central role in our culture.
“However, their current condition leaves a lot to be desired. Lands endowed for their maintenance have been gobbled up by private interests. Antique idols have been stolen and smuggled overseas. The temple staff are paid a pittance. Thousands of temples are facing utter neglect. Even poojas are not being performed. Much needs to be done to revive their glory,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader MK Stalin on Thursday appreciated the children who staged a skit on Dravidian icon EV Ramasamy, also known as Periyar, on a popular television show, which had previously drawn flak from the BJP for its “obnoxious comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi”. Stalin, whose Twitter bio says he “belongs to the Dravidian stock”, tweeted a video of his interaction with the children. He wrote Periyar is a guide for the human race to live with self-respect and rationality. In the video, the chief minister is seen gifting the children chocolates, books and statuettes of Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.