Chennai: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has instructed executive officers of temples not to force devotees to hand over their mobile phones, following protests over restrictions on carrying phones inside temples.
From September 1, devotees were barred from taking mobile phones into 52 major temples in Tamil Nadu. A facility was also arranged to deposit phones for a fee of Rs 5.
The move triggered dissatisfaction among devotees, with Hindu organisations alleging it would cause multiple hardships. HR&CE Minister Ramesh had earlier said officials were advised not to compel pregnant women, persons with disabilities and those visiting with infants.
The minister subsequently held consultations with department officials on possible relaxations for devotees’ convenience. Based on this, HR&CE has now told the 52 temple executive officers not to insist that devotees keep phones in lockers, and to accept phones only from those who come forward voluntarily.
The department also asked officials to ensure that, especially during continuous holidays, devotees do not end up waiting in long queues just to deposit their phones. Hindu organisations have urged that this instruction be explicitly applied to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple as well.
