SC directs Tamil Nadu: No rejection of Ram Mandir ceremony screening requests
PTC News Desk: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has instructed the Tamil Nadu government not to dismiss requests for live streaming of Lord Ram Lalla's 'pran pratishtha' (consecration ceremony) at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The court emphasised that the permission cannot be denied solely based on the presence of other communities in the locality.
Responding to a PIL that claimed the state had imposed a ban on the live broadcast of the ceremony, the apex court directed the state to keep a record of applications received and decisions made. The Tamil Nadu government assured the court that there is no prohibition on screenings, special poojas, or bhajans during the event.
TN govt has banned watching live telecast of #AyodhaRamMandir programmes of 22 Jan 24. In TN there are over 200 temples for Shri Ram. In HR&CE managed temples no puja/bhajan/prasadam/annadanam in the name of Shri Ram is allowed. Police are stopping privately held temples also… pic.twitter.com/G3tNuO97xS — Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) January 21, 2024
The decision follows an urgent plea by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against the alleged order by the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, which purportedly banned the live telecast of Lord Ram Lalla's 'pran-pratishtha' at temples and public places. The petition, filed by BJP's state unit secretary Vinoj P Selvam through Advocate G Balaji, argues that the ban violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had previously raised concerns, alleging that the state government under MK Stalin had restricted the live streaming of the pran-pratishtha ceremony in over 200 temples dedicated to Lord Ram. Sitharaman also claimed that police were preventing privately held temples from organising events related to the ceremony.
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However, the state government refuted these claims, labeling them as "false news with ulterior motives." The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department clarified that no limitations were imposed on devotees' freedom to offer food, conduct poojas, or provide prasad in the name of Shri Ram in Tamil Nadu temples.
As the controversy unfolded, the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya Temple proceeded as scheduled at 12:30 pm on the same day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saints, and distinguished guests graced the historic ritual.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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