DMK-Led Tamil Nadu Government Using Police Force To Stop Screening Of Ram Mandir Event's Live Telecast, Sitharaman Alleges

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman continued targeting Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government on Monday (22 January) over discouraging the celebration of the Ram Mandir event.

She alleged that in a small village (not more than 200 houses) Karunilam of Chengalpattu district installing the LED screen to watch the live telecast of the ceremony was not allowed as they needed the permission of the District Collector for it.

However, the Collector is sitting on the matter and the LED supplier is threatened, she alleged. "Another but a bigger village LED permission hanging fire: Singaperumal Koil, District: Chengalpattu," she added.

Sitharaman posted a video showing that LED screens are being removed by plain-clothed policemen in a privately held temple Kamakshi Kovil.

Calling it a serious infringement of the right to worship, she said, "The DMK government in TN completely fails to protect citizens' rights. Anti-Hindu DMK now bares its hatred for PM Narendra Modi with police force and suppresses peoples aspirations."

Sitharaman further alleged that of the 466 LED screens arranged for live telecast in Kanchipuram district, more than 400 have either been confiscated or force has been deployed to prevent the live telecast.

"LED suppliers are fleeing with fear. The Anti-Hindu DMK is hitting at small businesses," she added. She also posted a photo of a police order that denied permission to put up LED screens for live telecast in the Thovalai Murugan Temple of Nagercoil.

"Annadhanam is prevented in temples like Sriperumbudur Selva Vinayagar Temple held by HR&CE, privately held Molachur Karumariamman Temple and again privately held Selvizhimangalam Jambodai Perumal Temple by the TN Police," Sitharaman said.