Namita alleges discrimination at Madurai Temple
An inquiry is underway, say authorities
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2024-08-26 18:40 GMT
Actress Namita has raised allegations of discriminatory treatment at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, claiming that a temple officer rudely demanded proof of her Hindu faith before allowing her and her husband, Veer, to enter for Janmashtami prayers on Monday.
Namita took to Instagram to voice her grievance. She appealed to P.K. Sekar Babu, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, to intervene.
In a video statement, Namita said, “I have visited so many temples in the past and no one has asked for proof about my religion, because everyone knows I was born a Hindu and I got married to Veer at Tirupati Temple. Even my twin sons are named after Lord Krishna, as Krishna Adhitya and Kian Raj, as they were born on Janmashtami. It is not about being asked to prove I am a Hindu, but the way he asked was very impolite.”
Elaborating, she said, “For the very first time, I felt alienated in my own country and in my own place, in that I needed to prove myself as a Hindu! It’s not that I was asked about it, but instead HOW I was asked about it.”
There is confusion about the identity of the person who questioned Namita. The exact role of the person in question – whether a temple administrator, public works officer, or someone in another capacity – is still under investigation.
Temple sources have confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In a video statement, Namita said, “I have visited so many temples in the past and no one has asked for proof about my religion, because everyone knows I was born a Hindu and I got married to Veer at Tirupati Temple. Even my twin sons are named after Lord Krishna, as Krishna Adhitya and Kian Raj, as they were born on Janmashtami. It is not about being asked to prove I am a Hindu, but the way he asked was very impolite.”
Elaborating, she said, “For the very first time, I felt alienated in my own country and in my own place, in that I needed to prove myself as a Hindu! It’s not that I was asked about it, but instead HOW I was asked about it.”
There is confusion about the identity of the person who questioned Namita. The exact role of the person in question – whether a temple administrator, public works officer, or someone in another capacity – is still under investigation.
Temple sources have confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.