New Delhi: The idols of Hindu Gods placed along the path of Viralimalai Murugan Temple have once again been found vandalized and broken by miscreants on Monday. This disturbing trend raises serious concerns about the protection of sacred sites in the region. In 2021, local residents discovered shattered idols of Lord Murugan and other deities along the path leading to the Viralimalai Murugan Temple in Pudukottai district. Dr. C. Vijayabhaskar, the AIADMK MLA for Viralimalai, shared images of the damaged idols on social media, prompting an immediate complaint to the local police to identify those responsible for the vandalism.Ex-minister condemns temple vandalismDr Vijayabhaskar, the former Health and Family Welfare Minister of Tamil Nadu, expressed his shock and disappointment regarding the incident on his social media platform (X). He stated, “I was heartbroken to see the newly erected Swami idols on the hillside of Viralimalai Murugan Temple destroyed. I strongly condemn this act. A complaint has been lodged with the police, urging strict action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”Take a look at the video: TamilNadu: *Murugar story-telling idols on both sides of the stairs on the way up to the Viralimalai Shiva temple in Tiruchi were vandalized last night ...* pic.twitter.com/9Lj8CQsXaL— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) September 24, 2024Dr C Vijayabaskar post on X platformபெருமைமிகு நமது #விராலிமலை அருள்மிகு சுப்ரமணியசுவாமி திருக்கோவில் மலைப்பாதையில் சுவாமி சிலைகள் உடைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் காட்சிகள் இதயத்தை நொறுங்கச் செய்கிறது.கடும் கண்டனத்துக்குரிய இழிவான இச்செயலில் ஈடுபட்டவர்கள் மீது தயவு தாட்சன்யமின்றி கடும் நடவடிக்கையை எடுத்திட வேண்டும்.… pic.twitter.com/iJfqZ8NqEJ— Dr C Vijayabaskar - Say No To Drugs & DMK (@Vijayabaskarofl) September 20, 2024Ongoing concernsThree years later, the situation remains unresolved. Dr Vijayabhaskar revisited the issue, voicing his concerns on social media once again. He wrote, “The sight of Swamy idols being broken on the mountain path of our proud Arulmiku Subramaniaswamy temple is heartbreaking. Strict action should be taken against those involved in this despicable act which is highly condemnable. For the convenience of devotees who come from all over Tamil Nadu to visit Viralimalai Murugan, a wide footpath with statues of the glorious Swami was constructed during the AIADMKs tenure to ease the worries of devotees who find it difficult to climb the hill.”Dr Vijayabhaskar noted that similar incidents have occurred three times over the past three years, making devotees apprehensive about their visits. He criticized the Tamil Nadu government for failing to adequately protect the meticulously constructed mountain path. “I urge the police to strengthen security and speed up patrolling around the temple so that such incidents do not happen again,” he emphasized.விராலிமலை முருகன் கோவில் மலைபாதையில் புதிதாக அமைக்கப்பட்டிருந்த சுவாமி சிலைகள் உடைக்கப்பட்டு இருக்கும் காட்சியைக் கண்டு மனது உடைந்து நொறுங்கிப் போனேன். இதனை வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறேன்.இந்த இழிவான செயலை செய்தவர்கள்மீது கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க காவல்துறையிடம் புகார் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. pic.twitter.com/2GEbCMBVDW— Dr C Vijayabaskar - Say No To Drugs & DMK (@Vijayabaskarofl) May 11, 2021Background of the temple pathIts important to highlight that Dr Vijayabhaskar laid the foundation stone for the road leading to the temple in 2019. He also played a crucial role in constructing the parking lot atop the hill and actively campaigned in the constituency during the 2021 Assembly elections.Currently, reports indicate that a complaint has been filed, and police are investigating the matter to identify the individuals responsible for the vandalism of the idols.
