BJP criticises TN for permitting shooting of Periyar film

Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, Dec 13 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Vice-President Kumaravel today criticised the Tamil Nadu Government for permitting the shooting of the film 'Periyar Vazkai Varalaru', (Periyar's life history), a biography of the Tamil rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy at Varadaraja Perumal temple here yesterday.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Kumaravel said when the party volunteers headed by him went inside the temple to submit a petition in protest against the shooting of the film, the administrative officer of the temple was not available. ''Hence, we decided to submit the petition to the HR and CE Assistant Director, but, he too, was not available,'' he added.

He said the HR and CR Joint Director informed them over phone that permission was given to the crew for shooting as per the government order.

He said the party had stressed that Periyar statue should not be kept near the 'Rajagopuram'(temple tower) at Srirangam temple as it could affect the sentiments of the devotees and lead to unnecessary tension in the area.

He said the BJP, however, was not against the installation of Periyar statue and all parties, including the BJP, condemned its desecration strongly. The party only objected to its installation near the temple premises, he added.

DMK Government had always acted against the interest of the Hindu community, he alleged.

He alleged that when Periyar himself did not believe in God, what prompted the crew to conduct the shooting in the temple. The party would vehemently oppose, whenever shooting on Periyar film was conducted in any temple in Tamil Nadu, he added.

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