TN This Week: Priests Stop Devotees from Entering Parts of Chidambaram Temple

Amid protests against the Governor, the Periyar University administration issued a circular that directed students to avoid wearing black clothes during the graduation ceremony which took place on June 28.

Thirteen Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly are pending before Governor R N Ravi, stated an RTI response – contradicting his assertion last month that no Bills were pending.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Tamil Nadu secretary K Balakrishnan said disciplinary action should be taken against the Governor for claiming he was involved in a child marriage.

Two videos shared on social media showed structures, seemingly temples, being demolished. Social media users claimed that the visuals are from Tamil Nadu and demanded that the state withdraw the demolition order for the 200 years old Shiv temple. 

The Tamil Nadu government moved the Madras High Court seeking a ban on two-wheeler commercial taxis, saying commercial use of two-wheelers is an offence under the Motor Vehicle Act.

A conference titled ‘Let's Protect Temples’ was held on June 26 evening in Madurai on behalf of the Makkal Otrumai Medai (Tamil Nadu Platform for People’s Unity - TNPPU). It was in response to the demand for “freeing temples” from the state’s hold by Right-wing groups. Read more

All India Democratic Women's Association held a protest in Chengalpattu on June 27 demanding immediate action following the sexual harassment complaints by Irular tribe women against their ex-employer. Read more

A conference was held on June 26 calling upon all sections of society to stand up against the atrocities on women, domestic violence, and other policies affecting the education and employment of women. Read more

Mango farmers from Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district received some relief with the administration assuring them procurement of 400 tonnes daily at a price acceptable to both parties following a protest by the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on June 26. Read more

NewsClick brings you a round-up of the happenings in the last week in Tamil Nadu.

GOVERNOR SACKS MINISTER, THEN WITHDRAWS THE DECISION

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi unilaterally sacked minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam on June 14. However, he put the order dismissing arrested minister V Senthil Balaji in abeyance after Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked him to also seek the attorney general’s opinion on the matter. Read more

After Balaji’s removal, CM Stalin had told reporters that the governor “does not have the powers to dismiss him” and that the state government would counter it legally.

In a counter-affidavit filed in response to the habeas corpus plea by Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji's wife, Megala, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated that they had no choice but to arrest the DMK leader in a cash-for-jobs scam.

CHIDAMBARAM TEMPLE

A fresh controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu's Chidambaram on June 25, as some devotees were stopped from getting atop the kanagasabai (sacred stage) to pray. The incident took place at the Thillai Nataraja temple, when some dikshitars (priests) governing the temple placed a board forbidding devotees from praying in the area for four days.

However, with the involvement of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, devotees on June 28 offered prayers from the kanagasabai.

Chidambaram police booked 10 priests for allegedly preventing officials from performing their duties, officials said.