BJP’s State unit president Nainar Nagenthran welcomed the action initiated by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister S. Ramesh against those who allegedly demanded money for swift darshan at the Subramanya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur. The BJP leader further urged the TVK-led government to undertake reforms in the HR&CE Department.

He said this incident had brought to light what was allegedly happening in many temples across the State. The BJP leader further went on to raise some questions in this regard. “Why did the TVK Minister conclude that there is no role in this for higher officials other than the priests and employees over the receipt of ₹4,000 as a bribe?”

Mr. Nagenthran sought to know the steps undertaken by the TVK-led government for reforms in the HR&CE Department, in which, he said, irregularities were rampant under the erstwhile DMK regime. “Only by introducing an ‘Online Slot’ system to receive fee for darshan could the irregularities be prevented. If the Minister truly intended to reform the department, structural changes are necessary,” he said.

He further sought for a White Paper over the irregularities in the HR&CE Department. The alleged “intervention” of the HR&CE Department in the administration of temples should be prevented, he said. If structural reforms were not undertaken, the surprise visit by the Minister could help only in posting a reel on social media and not in bringing about change, he contended.

In another social media post, Mr. Nagenthran condemned the alleged removal of the telecast of Puthiya Thalaimurai, a Tamil television news channel, from the Arasu Cable TV Corporation, the Tamil Nadu government-owned distribution network. He charged that the alleged removal was because the channel exposed the shortcomings of the TVK-led government.