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Journalism of Courage
A PIL has been filed in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the State Hindu Religious and Endowment Board to take “custody and protection” of the Madurai Adheenam (Mutt) here and attach its properties.
The petition has been filed by a disciple of the Mutt who alleged that the 292rd Pontiff Sri La Sri Arunagirinathar was not qualified to head the mutt,as he had appointed self-styled godman Nithyanandha against whom many cases were pending.
Pending the appointment of the 294th Pontiff,government should takeover the ancient Saivite Mutt,the petitioner said.
The purity and sanctity of the Mutt had been affected by allowing women to stay in the Mutt,he alleged.
Poojas had been affected because Nithyananda was absent for a long time and kept in Karnataka prison,he alleged.
Nithyanandha and his disciples were strangers to Saivism and Savite principles and sentiments,the petitioner claimed. Besides,some Mutt valuables,including an ancient,
Marakatha Lingam,were missing since Nithyanandha was appointed as Mutt head,he alleged.
The City Police commissioner should be directed to remove Nithyanandha’s associates from the Mutt,and prevent them from tampering with documents in the Mutt,he said.
The self-styled godman was recently appointed head of the 1,500-year-old Saivite mutt at Madurai,triggering protests from several quarters,including heads of different mutts in the state.
Nithyananda,already facing criminal charges including rape and out on bail after his arrest in 2010,courted fresh trouble when police on June 8 booked him and his followers for allegedly assaulting a mediaperson at a press meet at his ashram in nearby Bidadi at Ramanagara in Karnataka. He was granted bail on June 15,a day after he was re-arrested on charges of disturbing peace and lodged in Mysore Central Prison.
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