[1]The issue regarding the Archaeological Survey of India’s move to take over the ancient Sri Sthalasayana Perumal temple at Mahabalipuram near here refuses to die down.
While the administration has appealed to the agitators to drop the proposed road blockade agitation on July 3, the protestors have announced that the stir is still on.
Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) S. Chellappa, who chaired a peace committee meeting, appealed to the members of the Sri Sthalasayana Perumal Temple Retrieval Committee to give up the agitation and assured to convey their views to the ASI, which wants to declare this renowned temple as a monument of national importance.
The members of the committee, however, made it clear that there was no going back on the agitation.
Already, the “stringent” Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Site and Remains Amendment Act, 2010, has prohibited construction and renovation and the town panchayat and TNEB are denying new approvals/ connections.
The members said that as they were undergoing hardships due to the enforcement of the said Act, the taking over of the temple would impose further burdens on them.
The agitators have proposed to block the East Coast Road at Mamallapuram on July 3 and various political parties and organisations have pledged their support.
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[1] http://archive.asianage.com/27temple-talksjpgcropdisplayjpg-379