Tamil Nadu: Farmers oppose ONGC funds for Chola king's festival

Thanjavur: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's (ONGC's) contribution of Rs seven lakh to the ‘Sadhaya Viazha’, to commemorate the coronation of king Raja Raja Cholan, who built the 'Big Temple' here, has run into an unexpected controversy with some cultural and farmers organisations and Naam Thamihar Katchi (NKT) objecting to it. 

They criticized the government for taking the donation from ONGC which, according to them is threatening the environment of Cauvery delta by its oil exploration activities. Ayanapuram Murugesan, president of ‘Thanjai Periya Koil Meetpu Kuzhu’, who garlanded the statue of Raja Raja Cholan outside the 'Big Temple' as the two-day 'Sadhaya Vizha' began on Sunday, told reporters that the district collector accepting ONGC's donation for the festival “is tantamount to supporting its activities desisted by farmers of the delta”.

“When farmers were agitating against the oil company, is it fair to accept the donation. District collector should return the cheque to ONGC” he said. He also said that the temple should be named “Peruvudayar Thirukoil” in Tamil and name should be written in front of the temple instead of ‘Brihdiswara temple’ written now, a Sanskritized name.  

V.Jeevakumar, vice-president of Tamil Nadu Vivasaya Thozhilalar Sangam said that donations were not received from any company for the festival in the past, but this year unusually ONGC had donated Rs 7 lakh. People would have contributed liberally if the district administration asked for it instead of taking money from ONGC, he said, and added that the amount should be returned forthwith.

Seeman, Film star and NKT founder came in a procession from Anna statue and garlanded the statue of King Raja Raja Cholan, situated outside the temple. He alleged that officials were acting like agents of ONGC, which is allegedly spoiling the environment in Cauvery delta and that was why they accepted '7 lakh as donation from the public sector oil company.