Chennai: On Sunday (21st January), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government for its alleged directive to State temples against conducting special prayers and offering Annadanam (free food) on the occasion of the Ram Mandir Pran Prathistha.

BJP Tamil Nadu President Annamalai expressed concern, stating, "It seems that the DMK government, which is engaged in anti-Hindu activities in the name of running a secular government, has banned special pujas and food offerings in Tamil Nadu temples."

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

He questioned the government's authority to interfere in temple practices and highlighted reports indicating restrictions on public programs related to the installation of the statue of Sri Ram. The government is allegedly preventing the live telecast of the Ram Mandir Pran Prathistha on big screens in public places in the State.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman condemned the reported ban on watching the live telecast of Ayodhya Ram Mandir programs, stating, "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." She criticized the alleged interference and restrictions imposed on privately held temples, calling it an "anti-Hindu, hateful action."

A news report from a Tamil daily suggested that the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government had given an 'unofficial verbal directive' to temples against conducting special prayers and offering Annadanam on the occasion of Ram Mandir Pran Prathistha. The government reportedly warned temple administrators against organizing special programs, threatening action for any violation.

The reported directive emphasized that no special puja, Annadanam, or related programs should take place in Tamil Nadu temples during the opening ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram temple. The Tamil Nadu police are reportedly actively working to prevent the live telecast of the ceremony on big screens in public places.

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