KUMBAKONAM, INDIA, February 14, 2009: Janata Party President Dr Subramanian Swamy has said that he would implead himself in support of the Dikshitars’ appeal challenging a single bench Judge’s order which paved the way for the government take over of the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram.
Swamy contends that the judgment of the High Court was deficient and pointed out that a 1952 ruling by the court had held that it is a denominational temple.
Swamy said “a petition is pending before the Parliament petition committee, regarding temple affairs in Andhra Pradesh. I have got vast knowledge of this and have to free temples from the clutches of the government.” He pointed out that there is a fundamental difference between temples and masjids and churches. In temples, after “Pranaprathishta” is done, the place becomes that of God.
“The government should concentrate on maintaining law and order and developing the economy. Instead they are trying to manage the temple,” he said.