Complaint against TN temple priest after CCTV footage shows him hitting Dalit guard
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A Dalit contract security guard of Tiruchendur Sri Subrahmanya Swami Devasthanam temple was hit by the priest of the temple within the premises. He was beaten by the Brahmin man allegedly because he declined to provide the latter the temple keys without the permission of the concerned authorities.
The CCTV footage accessed by TNM shows a group of security guards coming out of a room. Two priests who are standing nearby can be seen intercepting the Dalit security guard and demanding that he provides them the keys but it results in an argument. After a heated exchange of words in front of a police personnel and two other priests, the man identified as Jayamalini Kumar, hits and pushes the security guard. Jayamalini Kumar once again attempts to hit the guard but other people stop him.
The dispute was captured on CCTV. However, fearing that he would lose his job, the Dalit contract worker decided not to register a complaint with the police. Following this, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s (VCK) Thoothukudi District Secretary Murasu Thamizhappan has given a complaint to the Tiruchendur Temple Police and has urged them to register an FIR under the Prevention of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.
In the complaint to the Tiruchendur Temple Police on behalf of the Dalit employee, Murasu alleged that Jayamalini Kumar threatened that the security guard will lose his job if he does not give the keys since it was their temple and whatever they say will become the rule. He also hit the security guard. So considering all this, the FIR should be registered under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, the complainant has said.
Speaking to TNM, Murasu said, “I visited the survivor and I spoke to him. He is just scared that he will lose the job and since he has three girl children, he does not want to speak up about the issue. So I have given a complaint to the police but I have still not received the FIR copy.”
Murasu added, “Jayamalini Kumar used to bring influential people to the temple and would help them get easy dharshan. This time also, he wanted the keys for dharshan and the survivor told him to get permission from the concerned authorities. However, the priest started an altercation, hit and pushed him down.”
The survivor declined to give the keys only due to the coronavirus situation, he added.
Murasu said that he will take up the matter with the Tahsildar on Saturday and with the Collector on Monday. “The officials should provide safety at the workplace for the survivor and should ensure job safety.”
The VCK District Secretary also said that the act of the priest shows his casteist mindset. “Jayamalini Kumar’s act clearly shows his casteist mindset. People with such a mind should not be employed as temple priests. The temple is meant for all,” he said.
This is not the first time that the priest, Jayamalini Kumar, has been involved in such a crime. Murasu alleged. “Even last year, Jayamalini Kumar hit a man for using a space of the temple. saying that only upper caste people are allowed to enter the place. He has also used casteist slurs on a lot of people. He is doing all this despite knowing that CCTV cameras are installed. So this should be stopped,” he said.
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Bihar minister Nitin Nabin appointed BJP's national working president
New Delhi (PTI): Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin was on Sunday appointed as the BJP national working president and is likely to eventually succeed JP Nadda as its national president, signalling a generational shift in the ruling party.
Nabin, 45, son of late Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha -- a veteran BJP leader and former MLA -- is considered dynamic and ideologically rooted, and deeply committed to the organisation, party leaders said.
A five-time MLA, he represents Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar and has served twice as a minister in the Bihar Government.
His tenures as a minister in Bihar and his role as the party incharge of Chhattisgarh have been truly outstanding and marked by his effective organisational leadership, they said.
The BJP parliamentary board picked Nabin for the post.
"Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary board has appointed Nitin Nabin, a minister in the Bihar government, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s national working president with immediate effect," BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said in a notification.
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Nabin, who belongs to the Kayastha community, is likely to succeed incumbent BJP chief Nadda and is one of the youngest leaders to occupy the post, the leaders said.
Nadda, 65, was appointed the BJP President in January 2020 and has already completed his full term. He was granted extensions to lead the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Congratulating Nabin on his appointment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has distinguished himself as a "hardworking Karyakarta" and expressed confidence that his energy and dedication will strengthen the party.
"He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil people's aspirations.
"He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our Party in the times to come. Congratulations to him on becoming the BJP National Working President," PM Modi said on X.
Nabin has also worked extensively for Yuva Morcha. His appointment reflects the BJP’s focus on capable leadership and signals a generational shift, the leaders said.
BJP chief Nadda also greeted Nabin and said he was confident that the party would attain new heights under his leadership.
"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the dynamic BJP leader from the sacred land of knowledge and culture, Bihar, and Minister in the Bihar Government, Shri Nitin Nabin ji on his appointment as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"I am fully confident that under the guidance of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and your leadership, the organisation will reach new heights with the sentiments of nation-building and public service. Heartfelt best wishes for your illustrious and successful tenure," he said on X.
