Representative Image 
Chennai

20 Chidambaram temple priests booked under SC/ST Act

The action was taken after the priests allegedly stopped Lakshmi (36), a woman from the SC community of Old Bhuvanagiri Road from taking ‘darshan’ at Chitrambalai Medai where the Nataraja idol is placed for darshan. While the priests were booked under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, no arrests were made.

migrator

Chennai

The Cuddalore police have booked 20 priests of the famous Chidambaram Nataraja temple under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The action was taken after the priests allegedly stopped Lakshmi (36), a woman from the SC community of Old Bhuvanagiri Road from taking ‘darshan’ at Chitrambalai Medai where the Nataraja idol is placed for darshan. While the priests were booked under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, no arrests were made.

Lakshmi alleged that the priests verbally abused her and used casteist slur. Police said that further investigation regarding the complaint is on.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, a section of the priests had decided that devotees should not be allowed for ‘darshan’.

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android

Also Read

Railway fares to go up from Dec 26, to yield Rs 600 crore extra revenue

Bangladesh: India suspends visa services after violent attack near its Chittagong mission

CM Stalin slams AIADMK leader EPS for keeping mum over MGNREGA issue

Delhi airport: 97 flights cancelled, over 200 services delayed due to fog

Fringe forces cannot derail Stalin govt, says Minister Sekarbabu, hits back at H Raja