by: NavJeevan

Sadhguru hits the virtual world with ‘Free Tamil Nadu Temples’ Movement campaign, appeals to citizens to join via 100 Tweets

NE NEWS SERVICE
COIMBATORE, MAR 24

Spiritual leader Sadhguru on Wednesday launched a 100 tweets Twitter campaign with an aim to bring people’s attention to the poor condition of temples in Tamil Nadu. He has been demanding for a long time to ‘Free Tamil Nadu’s Temples’ from government control.

Somanathaswamy Temple, Keezhapazhayarai.

Sadhguru has announced that he will be appealing to the political parties via a series of 100 tweets to draw their attention towards the campaign.

Taking to Twitter, Sadhguru said in his tweet, “#FreeTNTemples – a Movement born of deep Anguish. Today I am putting 100 tweets, not to browbeat anybody, but just out of deep pain. Anguished cry of the community must be heard.” In his tweets, the founder of Isha Foundation used the hashtag ‘Free TN temples’.

Sri Brammagnana Pureeswarar temple, Kumbakonam.

“This entire movement about free Tamil Nadu Temples is not an effort to protest, agitate or corner somebody. This is out of a very deep anguish,” said Sadhguru in a video message where he called on people “irrespective of religion” to support the movement to correct a “fundamental injustice.”

Sadhguru retweeted more than 100 videos shot by citizens and Isha volunteers which show the shocking and alarming condition of temples in the state.

“Everything that is Tamil is rooted in devotion and the fulcrum of this devotion is the temple,” said Sadhguru as he described the pain and anguish of devotees compelled into silent spectatorship as centuries’ and millennia-old temples crumble due to government apathy and neglect.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Pillayampettai.

The campaign launched at the beginning of this month has taken on a life of its own on social media with support pouring in from all quarters.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon Ltd. called on citizens to “demand funds to resurrect temples” and lamented the lack of “respect” for “our heritage”

Former CBI Director Nageswara Rao; and actors Kangana Ranaut and Raveena Tandon were among those who endorsed the campaign online. Kangana called the condition of temples “heartbreaking”.

Raveena Tandon had strong words for those presiding over the neglect of temples calling them “internal enemies”.

Actors Sridivya and Shreenidhi Shetty, Director of Draupathy Shri. Mohan and CD Ravi, the Chief of the Tamil Nadu unit of BJP were among those who lent their voice to the campaign. Leader of Hindu Makkal Katchi Arjun Sampath also tweeted in support. Actor, lawyer and writer Kasthuri Shankar tweeted, “My heart bleeds for the heartless exploitation of our sacred spaces” and called on the community “to unite in one voice to rescue our faith,”

Earlier this month, Sadhguru wrote open letters to Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami and the Opposition Leader M.K. Stalin urging them to include in their manifesto a plan to free TN temples from state control.

Saleeswarar temple, Perumukkal.

The #FreeTNTemples campaign has turned the spotlight on the silent majority – the community of Hindus – whose places of worship have been usurped and shackled by government control. The campaign has garnered national attention for its pan-India appeal as several Indian states have tightened their control over Hindu temples.

The Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Worship as a fundamental right for citizens of all communities. While all other communities manage their own places of worship, Hindu temples alone have been administered by the draconian Hindu Religious and Charity Endowments Act which gives state full administrative control in all aspects of temple management including maintenance, financial control and staff appointments.