Actress Namitha asked to furnish proof of being Hindu at Meenakshi Amman temple
The actor, who is a BJP state executive member, alleged that a temple official prevented her from having darshan and demanded proof of being a Hindu.
"They asked for a certificate to prove that I am a Hindu and also my caste certificate. I never underwent such an ordeal in any temple that I visited in the country," she told reporters later.
Namitha said it was a known fact that she was born a Hindu and that her marriage was solemnised in Tirupati and her son was named after Lord Krishna. "This being the case they spoke rudely and arrogantly and demanded a certificate to prove my caste and my faith," she said.
A senior official at the temple denied the allegations and said they stopped Namitha and her husband who were wearing masks to enquire if they were Hindus and explained the tradition at the temple.
"After the clarification from them, she was anointed with kumkum on her forehead and taken inside the temple for a darshan of Goddess Meenakshi," he said.
When asked about this, the actress replied that she was allowed for darshan only after clarification of her faith and applying kumkum on her forehead.
She said her visit to Madurai was spiritual and she had come to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami at ISKCON.
"There's a way of asking. I was made to wait for 20 minutes in a corner. We had informed the police about our visit on Sunday," she said.
The actress said she wore a mask as she did not want to disturb devotees who might recognise her.
Earlier in the day, she put out a video message to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P K Sekar Babu on her predicament and requested him to take action on the "rude" temple official.
Actress #Namitha alleged Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple official restricted her entry into the temple for darshan & asked her to furnish proof of being a Hindu.
— S Mannar Mannan (@mannar_mannan) August 26, 2024
She was asked to put Kungumam in her forehead before allowing her to dharshan the deity.@xpresstn @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/dKY1CSu8G0
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Karnataka govt trying to curb Hindu festivals, alleges MP Kota Srinivas Poojary
Udupi (Karnataka), Sep 13: Udupi-Chikkamagalur MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has accused the Karnataka government of implementing an “invisible strategy” to curb Hindu festivals.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Poojary expressed his disappointment with Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, particularly after the communal clash in Nagamangala during the procession of Lord Ganesha idol immersion.
Poojary claimed that in the Nagamangala incident, the police booked devotees of Lord Ganesha while those who hurled stones were set free. He alleged that numerous rules and conditions were imposed this year to dilute the festival’s spirit. “There was an invisible strategy made by the government to curb the festival of Hindus,” he stated.
The MP further criticised the Home Minister for his response to the incident.
Parameshwara has reportedly said that the stones hurled during the procession came accidentally.
Poojary questioned the state’s protection measures and highlighted the restrictions placed on the Ganesha Chathurthi festival, including curbs on loudspeaker usage. He argued that these actions indicate a deliberate attempt by the Congress government to dampen the festive mood.
He also voiced concerns about the treatment of the majority community in Karnataka, alleging that they face atrocities from the minority community. He warned that if public trust in the government erodes, the BJP would take to the streets to protest against the administration.
