Tamil Nadu: With Ban On Pattina Pravesam Revoked, Here Is A Short Summary Of The Entire Controversy

The DMK government revoked its ban on the 500-year-old practice, ‘Pattina Pravesam’ of the Dharmapuram Adheenam, in Tamil Nadu. The government move was vehemently opposed by devotees, Hindu organisations as well as opposition parties.

The Pattina Pravesam is a customary practice involving the head of the historic Dharmapuram Adheenam being carried in a palanquin.

Political Reasons Behind the Ban: As explained in the earlier articles of Swarajya, there could be several political reasons behind the move to interfere in the affairs of Dharmapuram Adheenam.

• The timing of the ban made the ban highly suspect. A few weeks back Tamil Nadu Governor had visited the Dharmapuram mutt, which would have irked the CM who sees the Governor as a roadblock in the passing of the draft bills on NEET.

• The mutt is known to be a strong opponent of conversion activities as well as linguistic chauvinism propounded by the Dravidianist parties.

Meeting of Pontiffs with the CM: A delegation of pontiffs from different Adheenams and mutts had met CM Stalin and urged him to revoke the decision to ban the practice.

• In its presentation, as reported, the pontiffs explained that the practice should not be construed as “men carrying men”.

• It is a practice, wherein devotees (regarded as ‘Sripatham Thangigal’ coming down generations) bear the palanquin around ‘veedigal’ (streets) belonging to the mutt.

Opposition Reactions: BJP Tamil Nadu President, K.Annamalai tweeted that both people of Tamil Nadu and state unit of the BJP ‘clean bowled’ DMK government’s stand.

• BJP Tamil Nadu Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy said that the DMK government is regularly attacking the Hindu rituals, cultures and

Bottom line: The DMK government revoking the ban on 500-year-old Hindu ritual within days of imposing it, shows the slippery political slope it is on. The episode also displays the need for pro-activeness on the part of opposition parties, devotees, and seers in ensuring that attacks on Hindu customs are reverted in a timely manner.

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