Madurai Adheenam sniffs ‘conspiracy’ in accident; police deny foul play

A car accident involving a prominent Saivite spiritual leader and head of the historic Madurai Adheenam has ignited a controversy after he alleged it was a deliberate attempt to assassinate him.

The incident, which occurred near Ulundurpet in Kallakurichi district on May 2, has drawn widespread attention due to the seer's serious accusations and conflicting narratives.

The Kallakurichi police, however, have ruled out any foul play, warning of strict action against those spreading false information on social media. They have arrested the pontiff’s driver for speeding.

Speeding led to crash, say cops

The accident happened around 9.45 am on May 2, when the Adheenam’s SUV collided with another vehicle in Ajees Nagar, Ulundurpet. CCTV footage showed the seer's vehicle speeding and taking a service road instead of a flyover, leading to the collision.

The Ulundurpet police have registered a case against the seer's driver under two sections of the law, citing gross negligence as the cause.

Also read: Sengol's connection to Tamil Nadu, Vummidi Bangaru and a 500-yr-old Saivite order

Despite that, the Adheenam, speaking at a Chennai event, claimed the crash was a planned attack, hinting at a conspiracy to kill him. Incidentally, this is the same pontiff who presented the Sengol to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the new Parliament building two years ago.

Pontiff’s shocking claim

Furthermore, on Monday (May 5), the office of the 293rd Madurai Adheenam, Sri La Sri Harihara Sri Gnanasambandha Desika Swamigal, released a press note alleging that the other vehicle lacked a number plate and its occupants “appeared to be Muslims” without providing any more details.

The office also expressed frustration, alleging that the police denied receiving any complaint even though they lodged one immediately.

However, the Kallakurichi police have clarified that neither Adheenam nor anyone from the matha filed a formal complaint about the accident. They have urged the public to avoid spreading rumours, emphasizing that the investigation points to negligence, not foul play.

Also read: Row after TN denies permission to age-old tradition of carrying pontiff on palanquin

Seer draws flak from right-wing organisation

Interestingly, the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK), a right-wing organization, has sharply criticized the seer, accusing him of fabricating the assassination claim to stir religious tensions.

The HMK has labelled his allegations baseless and damaging to the sanctity of the Madurai Adheenam, one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest Saivite institutions. They highlighted inconsistencies in his statements, questioning why he failed to file a formal complaint if he believed his life was under threat.

The HMK also suggested that the seer's behaviour indicated mental instability, pointing to actions such as disabling CCTV cameras at the Adheenam premises and keeping the institution in darkness to save electricity. They have demanded his immediate removal from the post, arguing that his actions tarnish the matha’s legacy.

Pontiff’s political leanings

The pontiff maintains a rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marked by public expressions of support. During the inauguration of the new Parliament building, he had praised Modi for promoting Tamil culture and being the first prime minister to invite Tamil Adheenams to such a significant national event.

Also read: TN govt gives into pressure, revokes ban on age-old ritual Pattina Pravesam

However, the Madurai Adheenam has been a known critic of the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, accusing it of encroaching on Hindu temple rights and mismanaging temple properties.

In 2022, too, he had alleged threats to his life for questioning the DMK’s policies, particularly the ban on the ‘Pattina Pravesam’ ritual, which he condemned as an attack on Hindu traditions. He claimed DMK leaders occupied temple lands without paying rent and criticized their governance as targeting Hindu religious practices.