HR&CE Minister Defends Mandapam for Chickenpox-Recovered Devotees, Accuses DMK of Propaganda

Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) R. Ramesh on Sunday defended the government's proposal to construct a mandapam (resting hall) at Sri Mariamman Temple in Anbil for devotees who have recovered from chickenpox, while accusing the DMK of spreading false propaganda to demean the government.

The Sri Mariamman Temple in Anbil is a prominent shrine dedicated to goddess Mariamman, who is widely venerated in rural Tamil Nadu as a deity capable of curing ailments such as chickenpox. Devotees from various parts of the State visit the temple to offer prayers and make vows, seeking divine intervention for recovery from the disease. Upon being cured, many of them return to the temple to fulfil their vows, often wishing to stay on the premises for a few hours or overnight as part of their devotion.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchi, Mr. Ramesh said the proposed mandapam was intended specifically for such visitors — those who had already recovered and wished to rest at the temple while completing their rituals. He noted that the temple had been receiving a large number of devotees, and that several petitions had been submitted requesting a dedicated space for them. Taking these into account, the government announced the construction of the mandapam.

The Minister alleged that the DMK had launched a false propaganda campaign online, claiming that the mandapam would spread the disease as those with chickenpox would congregate there. He dismissed this as a deliberate distortion of the proposal, reiterating that the facility was meant only for those who had been cured. “The mandapam is not for patients; it is for devotees who have recovered and want to express their gratitude to the goddess,” he clarified.

Mr. Ramesh also addressed the ongoing political criticism regarding the conduct of the State Assembly. He said that Ministers and MLAs of the TVK were strictly adhering to the dignity of the House, while the DMK members had been following a disruptive approach by creating a ruckus. On the Opposition's charge that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay did not respond to questions, the Minister said that several Ministers had been actively answering questions directed at the Chief Minister. He defended this practice, stating that since all Ministers were part of the government, there was nothing wrong in them responding on behalf of the Chief Minister.

In a separate development, Mr. Ramesh accused former Minister P.K. Sekarbabu of misusing his influence to gather internal inputs from the HR&CE Department to protect himself from potential wrongdoing. The Minister warned that strict action would be taken against any official found passing confidential departmental information to outside individuals. “No one who breaches the trust of the department will be spared. We will deal with such actions firmly,” he said.

The Minister’s remarks underline the growing political friction in the State, with the ruling party and the Opposition locked in a war of words over temple administration and legislative conduct. The government has maintained that the mandapam proposal is a genuine measure to accommodate the needs of devotees, while the Opposition continues to question its timing and necessity.