Tamil Nadu BJP leader criticizes minister over temple entry controversy

Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagenthran has criticized State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister S. Ramesh following the alleged entry of a Muslim man into the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Nagenthran accused the Minister of violating temple traditions and Agama rules by allowing a man wearing a skullcap into the shrine, noting that the individual was reportedly accompanying the Minister as an assistant. The BJP leader cited a 2024 Madras High Court judgment stating that non-Hindus should not be permitted beyond the flagstaff in Tamil Nadu temples.

Nagenthran further questioned the Minister's actions, suggesting they create unnecessary controversy and disregard the sanctity of Hindu religious institutions. He also drew parallels to the presence of a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA at a ceremony in the Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai.