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New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
PM Modi to attend 1,000th anniversary of Gangetic conquest on July 27
CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the 1,000th anniversary of the Gangetic conquest by King Rajendra Chola I. The event is organised in the Brahadiswara temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Gangaikondacholapuram in Ariyalur district on July 27. The PM is likely to release a coin to commemorate the occasion. Official sources said that according to the tentative schedule, the PM is likely to visit the temple in the evening of July 27, and after darshan, he will be viewing a photo exhibition organised by the ASI. The topics to be covered in the photo exhibition include Rajendra Chola I's Gangetic expedition, and Kadaram expedition, miniature sculptures related to Shaivism and Chola-era sculptures. Later, Modi will be enjoying a 'Thiruvachagam' symphony by music maestro Ilayaraaja for about 20 minutes. In all, the PM is scheduled to be there for around three hours. HR and CE sources said the Tamil Nadu government is celebrating Adi Thiruvathirai, the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I, from July 23. Chief Minister MK Stalin and five of his Cabinet colleagues are likely to take part in the celebrations on July 23. The PM is taking part in the valedictory celebrations on July 27. However, the CM's participation in the PM's programme is yet to be confirmed. R Komagan, chairman, Gangaikondacholapuram Development Council Trust, told TNIE that heads of 36 Adheenams in Tamil Nadu, including the one which donated the Sengol to Parliament, have been invited for the PM's event. The event starts with a 'Thiruvachagam' recital by 50 Oodhuvars.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No person can deny access to a temple based on caste: HC
Madurai: It is shocking that even after 75 years of Independence, people are still being kept out of temples because of their caste, observed the Madras high court , while holding that no person or group can deny access to a public temple based on caste. Justice B Pugalendhi observed that a petition filed by Vanniyakulachathiriyar Nala Arakattalai, represented by its president Murugan, seeks the removal of a prohibitory order of 2018 and permission to resume festivals and worship at the Mariamman temple in Chinna Dharapuram, Karur district. According to the trust, no caste discrimination has occurred at the temple. However, another petitioner, Marimuthu, alleges that scheduled caste devotees are not being allowed to worship. The judge took note of the report filed by the Karur district collector stating that the temple has remained closed since 2018, except for pujas, due to apprehension of communal tension and the risk of law and order disturbances. Condemning the report, the judge observed that the closure of a public temple, under the guise of a law and order concern, is a dereliction of constitutional duty. The collector cannot escape his duty by simply saying there may be trouble. It is his responsibility to handle it using the state machinery. "Police seem to think that the only way to keep peace is by denying entry to everyone. This is wrong," the judge observed. It is also the duty of the HR and CE department and the state to ensure that everyone is allowed to worship and there is no caste-based exclusion. The judge then directed the department to file a report. The judge directed both parties to cooperate with the officials and maintain peace and harmony.
