Don't Use Ayodhya Mandapam Issue To Gain Political Mileage, Says TN CM Stalin

The CM made the statement while responding to a calling attention motion moved by BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan.  

TN CM Stalin | Credit: ABP Nadu

Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin told BJP members to not try to gain political mileage using Ayodhya Mandapam issue while responding to a calling attention motion moved by BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan.  

Earlier, Ayodhya Mandapam, which was run by Sri Ram Samaj in West Mambalam, was taken over by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (H&CE) department through an order issued in 2013. The issue came to the spotlight again after Madras HC dismissed a plea against HR & CE order to take over the administration of Mandapam on March 31, 2022.

In the Assembly on Tuesday, TN CM Stalin said, "Common people are affected by the hike in petrol, diesel, LPG cylinder prices. We have urged the Centre to work towards controlling the price rise and release the pending dues."

"You (BJP MLAs) should also function in a way that's useful for the people of our state. The BJP should refrain from turning this into a political issue or try to strengthen the party by gaining political mileage in the issue," he said.

On Monday, BJP members staged a protest against the taking over of Ayodhya Mandapam by HR & CE. BJP councillor Uma Anandan and other BJP cadre staged a protest near the mandapam. They also raised slogans like 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.

The protesters said that HR&CE cannot take over the mandapam since it is not a temple. 

However, the police arrested leaders including Karu Nagarajan, Uma Anandan, Elangovan among others. They were arrested under charges of preventing public servants from doing their duty.