Chennai

In a statement, BJP president L Murugan said that the flower vendors, archakas, musicians, and traders depending on temples were affected without a livelihood and now with the State relaxing the curfew, the same should be extended to temples.

Besides catering to the religious sentiments, temples also serve as a source of income for those associated. Archakas, battachariayars, poosaris, flower vendors, musicians, decorators, book and stationery stall owners depend on temples for their monthly incomes. Now, with the State gradually lifting the COVID-19 related lockdown, places of religious centres should also be opened for public, Murugan said in his statement.

Residents near the temples and those directly associated with religious activities are affected. Considering their economic welfare, temples should be reopened at the earliest, Murugan urged.

According to BJP sources, the religious tourism is adversely affected due to the lockdown and the economy of places like Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Palani and Tiruchendur hit. There are more than 100 prominent Hindu temples, directly and indirectly, regulating the livelihood of more than 10 lakh families. The BJP president has stated after studying the impact of COVID-19 on these families depending on religious tourism, sources said.

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