Tamil Nadu HR&CE Minister defends mandapam proposal at temple for devotees cured of chickenpox

Defending the announcement of an exclusive mandapam (resting hall) for devotees cured of chickenpox at Sri Mariamman Temple at Anbil, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Ramesh on Sunday accused the DMK of spreading false propaganda to demean the government.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchi, Mr. Ramesh said the proposed mandapam was for those who visited the temple after recovering from chickenpox. The temple drew a large number of devotees from across the State, many of whom wanted to stay at the temple to fulfil their vows to the goddess Mariamman if they were cured of chickenpox, he said.

The government had announced the construction of the mandapam upon receiving several petitions from devotees and considering the rising number of visitors. However, the DMK launched a false propaganda campaign online, claiming that the mandapam would spread the disease as those with chickenpox would congregate there, the Minister said.

He further said that Ministers and the TVK MLAs had been strictly adhering to the dignity of the House. However, the DMK members had been following a disruptive approach by causing ruckus in the Assembly, he said.

On criticism levelled by the Opposition that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay did not bother to answer the questions directed at him, Mr. Ramesh said many Ministers actively responding to the questions directed at the Chief Minister, and that there was nothing wrong in that as they too were part of the government.

He added that former Minister P.K. Sekarbabu had been misusing his influence to collect inputs from the HR&CE Department to prtoect himself from the wrongdoing. No officials, who passed on the inside inputs of the department, would be spared and severe action would be taken against them.