BJP hits out at temple clash

Madurai, Mar 4 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) today strongly condemned the lathi charge in the Sri Natarajar temple at Chidambaram and demanded stern action against the officials responsible for the violence.

Talking to newspersons here, BJP State Vice President Pon Radhakrishnan wondered why members of Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), Peoples Art and Literary Association (PALA) and Dravidar Kazhagam, besides Muslims, who were in no way connected with the temple, were allowed inside the holy place to indulge in goondaism. The Government should not have allowed the atheists inside the temple complex and create problem.

He pointed out that there was no ban on singing 'thevaram' or 'Tthiruvasagam' in the sanctum sanctorum even now, during the rituals. He asked, why should ''Manitha Urimai Pathukappu Kazhagam'' (Human Rights Protection Association) and other non-Hindu organisations should be allowed to interfere.

The problem should have been sorted out through talks and what the Government did was shabby, allowing the temple complex to turn into a battle ground, he alleged.

On the Sethu issue, he strongly condemned the Centre's move to tell the apex court that the Ramar Sethu was not man-made, but a natural formation. He accused that the Centre had taken the move only to satisfy the minorities.

UNI GSM VV NVN2136