DMK Govt Not Against Religion, Temples Should Shine As Egalitarian Spots: CM Stalin

The DMK government is not against any religion as was being falsely portrayed, but wanted to ensure the temples shine as egalitarian spots sans inequalities, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Thursday.
       
Those who disliked the party are attempting to depict the DMK as anti-religion, he said without naming anyone. His government was not against any faith but opposed bigotry, he said.
       
"This government does not discriminate between religion or caste, temple or God. We are taking care of all religious institutions in the State. That's why people still support our government. Those who criticise us will, through this function, realise that all our endeavours are for ensuring a egalitarian society," Stalin, who is the president of the DMK, said.
      
Giving away government grant of Rs 2 lakh each to 1,500 Adidravidar and tribal temples besides equal number of village temples across Tamil Nadu for renovation, the Chief Minister said he has been bestowing utmost importance to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in launching several welfare initiatives, next only to the Home Department, a portfolio which he held, and Industries Department.
     
"My aim is to facilitate equal development across all the departments. But those who lack understanding on this and dislike Dravidianism are attempting to portray us as anti-religion. We are opposed to fanatics not religion," the Chief Minister said at the function held under the aegis of the HR and CE Department here.
     
"Today, the government disbursed Rs 50 crore for 2,500 temples towards their renovation. Numerous work for temple development were initiated after the DMK came to power," he said. 
      
An expert committee, which was established, guided the government in taking up repair or renovation or amenities for devotees at about 43,000 temples under the ambit of the HR & CE Department. 
      
Accordingly, Rs 100 crore was sanctioned for taking up renovation of nearly 3,986 temples. The government implemented 91 announcements out of 112 made in the Legislative Assembly during 2021-22 fiscal on behalf of the department and 132 announcements out of 165 made during 2022-23 are materialising, Stalin informed indicating that the DMK government is not against the Hindu shrines or the faith.
    
"Temples are our symbol of art and culture, testimony of refined sculpture and example of our artistic excellence. So, we are preserving them and it is our duty to do so," the Chief Minister said.
    
"Temples should shine as egalitarian centres and our full attention is focused on this. We appointed archakas (priests) from all castes to temples after deciding that no human should be ostracised in the name of caste," he said. 
      
The government paved way for using the Tamil language for performing archana in temples and is involved in facilitating samathuva (egalitarian) temples to emerge.
      
"Not only the people, who are discriminated in the name of caste, but also the temples should not be discriminated as village temples, rich or poor temples. This government is helping them all without any prejudice," Stain said.