The story so far: In February this year, a woman devotee complained that she was not permitted to offer worship to the deity from the Kanakasabhai Mandapam in the temple. The police registered a complaint against 20 Dikshithars under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Department of HR&CE had also received a number of complaints of maladministration/malpractices and misappropriation from devotees since the Sri Sabhanayakar Temple is considered a public temple managed by the Dikshithars, who are a denomination community. Following this, the Commissioner, HR&CE, issued notice informing them of the complaints the Department had received. The war of words has continued over the last two months. On June 7 and 8, a committee constituted by the Commissioner with powers drawn under Sections 23 and 33 of the HR &CE Act, 1959, visited the temple for inspecting records. However, they could not carry out their duties because of the objections from the Podhu Dikshitars.
What was the issue with permitting devotees at the Kanakasabhai?
The Dikshitars had not permitted devotees to climb atop the platform, citing restrictions due to the pandemic. One of the Dikshithars, Ganesa Dikshithar, had violated the order of the Podhu Dikshithar committee by climbing atop the platform and offering worship along with his wife. Heated exchanges ensued, and the man was reportedly manhandled by a section of Dikshithars, following which he filed a complaint. A Podhu Dikshithar, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had decided against permitting devotees to climb atop the Kanagasabhai because it would obstruct the view of devotees standing below. However, following complaints, the HR&CE Commissioner sought a report from the Revenue Department and suggested to the State government that devotees be permitted to have darshan from the Kanagasabhai since the pandemic restrictions had been relaxed.
