Minister Ramesh on Friday opened the east entrance gopuram of the Srirangam Ranganathar Temple for public use, after it had remained closed for the past three years.
Speaking to reporters, he said the works were completed swiftly after his government assumed office and expressed satisfaction that the gateway has now been reopened for devotees.
On allegations related to temple land fraud, the minister said legal action was initiated as soon as the matter came to the government’s attention, including filing an appeal in court. Referring to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple trust land issue, he alleged that in the previous regime there were attempts to change power and register documents in multiple places, and said action was taken once these came to light.
Ramesh also pointed to an existing court order that mobile phones should not be permitted in temples, noting that videos continue to surface on social media, including from inside sanctum areas. As a first step, he said instructions have been issued to set up secure mobile counters in temples.
He appealed to media persons to record interviews and videos outside temple premises when public figures visit, and requested that filming inside temples be avoided, making the appeal “with folded hands.”
