CM's photo in temple removed

Tiruchirapalli, June 19 (UNI) The police today removed a portrait of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi kept by a temple priest behind the idol of Lord Krishna in the sanctum sanctorum for daily worship.

Devaram Narayana Bhattar, belonging to the Padayachi caste, was so happy with the Tamil Nadu Government's order permitting persons of any caste to become a temple priest that he hung a portrait of Mr Karunanidhi in the temple behind the Lord Krisha's idol, at Samayapuram, near here, about three days ago.

A large number of people, especially DMK volunteers, thronged the temple to witness the unusual practice of the priest offering worship to the portrait.

When the news spread, the district police swung into action and removed the portrait from the temple.

However, no action was taken against the priest, whose whereabouts were since not known.

''The priest seemed to be mentally unstable,'' the police told UNI.

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