What is the current dispute between the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and the Podhu Dikshitar Committee, which manages the Shree Sabhanayakar Temple, popularly known as Shree Nataraja Mandir in Chidambaram?
What is the current dispute between the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and the Podhu Dikshitar Committee, which manages the Shree Sabhanayakar Temple, popularly known as Shree Nataraja Mandir in Chidambaram?
the story So Far: In February this year, a woman devotee complained that she was not allowed to worship the deity from the Kanakasabhai Mandapam in the temple. The police have registered a complaint against 20 Dikshits under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The HR&CE department had received several complaints of maladministration/misconduct and misappropriation from devotees as the Sri Sabhanakar Temple is believed to be a public temple managed by the Dikshits, who are a sectarian community. Thereafter, the Commissioner, HR & CE, issued notice to them informing them about the complaints received by the department. The war of words has been going on for the last two months. On 7 and 8 June, a committee constituted by the commissioner with powers conferred under sections 23 and 33 of the Human Resources and CE Act, 1959, visited the temple to inspect the records. However, he could not perform his duties due to the objections of Podhu Dikshitar.
What was the problem in allowing devotees in Kanakasabhai?,
The Dikshits did not allow the devotees to climb the stage, citing restrictions due to the pandemic. One of the Dikshits, Ganesh Dikshitar, had violated the order of the Podhu Dixithar Committee by climbing the stage and worshiping with his wife. A heated argument ensued, and the man was allegedly assaulted by a section of Dikshits, following which he filed a complaint. One Podhu Dixithar, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that he has decided not to allow devotees to climb on top of Kanagasabhai as it would obstruct the view of devotees standing below. However, following complaints, the HR and CE commissioner sought a report from the revenue department and suggested the state government to allow devotees to have darshan from Kanagasabhai as pandemic restrictions were eased.
What was said in the notice to Podhu Dikshitar?
The HR&CE department, in its notice, asked them to keep the documents related to properties and income and expenditure ready for inspection on June 7 and 8. In a communication, c. Jothi, Joint Commissioner, Cuddalore, who is also the coordinator of the committee constituted by Commissioner, HR&CE, said that Podhu Dikshitar should cooperate with the committee which had planned to inspect the records. The information sought includes income/expenditure records up to January 1, 2014 and audit reports for the same period; Details of repairs done and ASI clearances obtained; the details of the endowment, the assets bequeathed to the same, the income derived from them and the position of the properties; Details of offerings, jewelery and other valuables owned by the deities; and details of properties and their lessees. One of the jewels kept in the custody of the Dikshits is considered ‘haram’, in which the blue stones were clearly presented by Kulothunga Chola.
What do dikshitars say?
One Podhu Dixithar, on the condition of anonymity, said that the affairs of the temple are managed according to rules and principles that have been in existence for hundreds of years. All the events were being conducted as per the rules and the Podhu Dixit will not be compromised for any reason. The Dikshits said that the Human Resources and CE Department has no jurisdiction to administer the temple. The committee, in response to the notice, said that the issue of whether Podhu Dixit constitutes a religious sect has been finalized and will act as a ‘race judicata’ in all future matters. The Podhu Dikshitar committee refused to share the details of the expenditure with the guest committee, saying the department had no authority to call for records from the temple.
Is there a recent fight between Podhu Dikshitar and HR & CE department?
In 1886, the then British government demanded an audit of the temple’s income. But the Dikshits refused to comply and the matter went to the Presidency Court in Madras. The battle for control of the temple is long-standing and several cases later in 2014, the Supreme Court struck down the appointment of an executive officer in the temple for lack of necessary rules framed in 2015. The department has details of audit reports from 1880 to 2014. In 1987, Chief Minister MG Ramachandran appointed an executive officer for the temple. An executive officer appointed for the period 2009 to 2014 ensured that a fixed deposit of ₹3.75 crore was made using the proceeds.
Where is this issue headed?
The Dikshits claim that the temple is a sectarian temple, which means established by a sect or sect and worshiped by them according to their religious practices. However, historical evidence suggests that the temple was built by several individuals including the Chola and Pallava rulers. He says that the HR and CE department has no authority as the temple was a sect’s temple. However, the HR and CE department has clarified that any denomination sect can seek exemption if it has established and is maintaining a temple. In this case, the establishment was done by the then rulers. As a place of public worship, the commissioner is empowered to examine the records. The traditional rights of Dikshitars to worship are not being questioned.