The MK Stalin led Tamil Nadu government on Sunday revoked its ban on the centuries-old 'Pattina Pravesam', a Hindu ritual during which disciples carry the seer of Saivite monastic institution - Dharmapuram Adheenam, on their shoulders in a palanquin.

'Pattina Pravesam’ is a ritual of devotees carrying the pontiff on their shoulders in a palanquin. The ritual will take place on May 22nd, the administration said in its new order.

BJP Tamil Nadu Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy said that the government revoked the ban after strong opposition. Targeting Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, he said his government is anti-Hindu government. "It is regularly attacking the Hindu rituals, cultures and traditions. After strong opposition, the government has revoked the ban on 'Pattina Pravesam' of the Dharumapuram Adheenam," he said.

The DMK government had banned the ritual after some political parties and outfits including the Dravidar Kazhagam raised objections saying it violated 'human dignity'.

The Mayiladuthurai district administration issued an order saying that the traffic in human beings and compulsory and other similar forms of forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

However, the BJP and other Hindu organisations objected to the ban, calling the DMK government anti-Hindu.

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai on May 4 termed the DMK's action as an affront to Tamil Nadu's civilisational culture.

"Ban on Dharmapuram Adheenam’s centuries old ‘Pattina Pravesham’ is an affront to T N’s civilisational culture." He called the order illegal and said that he will be personally there to carry the Adhinam on Palanquin on his shoulders. "We will request the Adhinam to allow us to conduct the event by overturning this illegal order," he said.

On Saturday, the Dharmapuram Adheenam said that the seer would be holding a meeting with Chief Minister Stalin, and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) minister P. K. Sekar Babu to discuss the issue.

Moreover, the ban on the age-old ritual came just weeks after Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s visit to the Dharmapuram mutt.

Image courtesy: ANI