Protest against Nitya’s appointment

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Hindu religious outfits and followers of Saivism opposed the appointment of self-styled godman Nityananda as the 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam, an ancient Saivite mutt in the country, even as an unfazed aadheenam, Arunagirinatha Sri Gnanasambanda Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, enthroned him as his ‘rightful’ successor in the mutt in Madurai on Sunday.

Nityananda , who landed in a controversy after a sleazy video footage telecast by a TV channel showed him with an actress and is facing criminal cases, received blessings from the senior pontiff after presenting him a golden crown and tulsi garland.

The senior in turn crowned him as the inheritor of Madurai aadheenam and wore a rudraksha mala around his neck.

The aadheenam conferred the title, Guru Maha Sannidhanam Srila Sri Paramahamsa Nithyananda Sri Gnanasambanda Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, on him as the controversial godman’s followers applauded.

T. Suresh Babu, president of Sandigeswara Nayanar Narpani Sangam, claimed he was sent as a representative of other Saivite mutts of Turuvaduthurai, Dharumai, Perur, Tiruppanandhal and Kundrakudi to express their displeasure over Nityananda’s pontiffship to Madurai aadheenam.

“Nityananda and his group did not allow me to meet the pontiff in person. Hence, I had to meet him in their presence and two police officials accompanied me fearing my safety,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

“When I told the sannidhanam that the Saivite world is shocked over Nityananda being declared as his successor and the move has only brought disrepute to the mutt, aadheenam said he is the only ‘fit saint’ who can carry forward Tirugnana Sambandar’s (visionary saint of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy) legacy,” he said.

“I was also shocked to hear him speak for the very first time in singular about the other mutt heads who had objected to Nityananda ‘s pontiffship,” he said.

Babu said the senior pontiff has become a “prisoner of circumstances”.

He ruled out the possibility of aadheenam being lured by money as the mutt has several thousands of crores worth properties. “Aadheenam is trapped. His life is in danger. We suspect a conspiracy to grab the mutt’s properties,” Babu alleged.

Hindu Makkal Katchi announced it would mobilise all mutt heads to agitate for the removal of Nityananda from the pontiffship to protect the sanctity of Madurai aadheenam.