Hindu leaders  are upset over the Dravidian and Tamil chauvinist outfits  which attack the community  and its Gods.  The decision of the federation of employees of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment  (HR&CE) Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu to file criminal cases against BJP leader H Raja has been cited by the community leaders as an attempt to stifle opposition to the high-handedness of the Dravidians.

The Federation of HR& CE Department Employees controlled by Left parties has filed a series of complaints against Raja in different police stations across the State for his “derogatory” comments against them. Raja, in a recent public speech, questioned the propriety behind the attitude of the HR&CE Department staff in avoiding the directives  by the Madras High Court  to submit details of the land  owned by the temples administered by the Tamil Nadu Government and also the details of the ancient idols which were stolen/disappeared from the temples.

The Idol Wing of Tamil Nadu Police led by Pon Manickavel had arrested a couple of officials of the HE&CE department including a top rung commissioner. Many senior officials of the HR&CE department are under the scanner of the police following allegations of their complicity in the crimes.

T R Ramesh, president, Temple Worshippers Society, a body involved in preparing the inventory of temple properties said that the HR&CE Department has become a cesspool of corruption. “Kapaleeswarar Temple management has purchased two brand new and fully loaded Toyota Innova cars. What is the purpose for squandering the wealth of temples on high end cars? This is  not an isolated incident. Another nearby temple  has purchased  two similar cars for the use of the minister and his secretary,” said Ramesh. 

Raja, who is known for stirring controversies which embarrass the Dravidian parties as well as the followers of  E V Ramasamy Naicker, a reformer who fought for the rights of the Backward Castes in the State, leaves no stones unturned while criticising the DMK, DK and other caste based organisations.

On Saturday, the Coimbatore Police registered another case against the BJP leader under sections 500 (punishment for defamation) and 501 (Printing and Engraving matter known to be defamatory)  of the Indian Penal Code. The case has to do with a social media message posted by Raja on April 18 in which he is reported to have described a Rajya Sabha member from Tamil Nadu as the illegitimate daughter of a former chief minister. 

What has shocked the religious leaders in the State is the step-motherly treatment  the Hindus are getting from the Dravidians. “S V Sekhar, the theatre personality was hounded by Dravidian leaders and civil rights activists when he forwarded a social media post received by him to his friends. He is free only because of the bail granted to him. But Kovan, the Maoist activist who sang obscene songs about Jayalalithaa and  Lord Rama is walking freely and doing whatever he wants. Human rights and civil rights activists and the Dravidians are supporting him,” said Arjun Sampath, president, Hindu Peoples Front.  All these leaders are of the view that Hindus are being targeted by the Dravidians and Tamil chauvinistic outfits under the garb of attacking the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Let them attack the BJP and the Prime Minister. But they should leave the Hindus to live peacefully,” said Ramesh and Arjun Sampath.