In a dramatic development, the head of the Madurai Adheenam removed Nithyananda from the position of junior pontiff of the centuries-old Hindu religious institution on Friday night. The controversial godman was appointed as the 293 pontiff of the 1500-year-old mutt in April this year.
In a hurriedly convened press conference on the mutt premises, the senior pontiff, Arunagirinatha Gurugnanasambanda Desika Paramacharya said, “I appointed Swami Nithyananda as my successor. Today, I have removed him from the position. By doing so, I have restored the glory of the ancient mutt.” Asked for the reason for the sudden decision, he said, “He has been removed. It needs no more explanation. You all know better.”
Devotees could visit the mutt as usual, the senior pontiff said.
The development came a day after the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department moved a civil court in Madurai to remove the head of the Mutt.
Arunagirinathar said a complaint was lodged with the city police seeking protection to the mutt. He explained that as there were some supporters of Nithyananda still inside the mutt he had sought police protection for the lives of its inmates and its property.
When contacted, Police Commissioner Sanjay Mathur said they received a complaint and the police would ensure that there were no untoward incidents.
Though the junior pontiff, during his visits here in the past, maintained that there was no problem in his continuing with the Madurai Adheenam and that he had the blessings of the senior pontiff, recent developments did not seem to be working in his favour.
Nithyananda, who had considerable following as a young exponent of Hindu religion and philosophy, fell into disgrace a few years ago when video footage depicted him in an intimate situation with an actress. ,
What was destined to happen has happened. Ignoring the widespread public protest against the proposal to make Nithyananda the junior pontiff, the senior pontiff of Madurai Adheenam appointed him as his junior, with the prospect of becoming his successor. Finding the situation to be not conducive to the continuance of this junior in the Adheenam, the senior pontiff has now removed him. Implied in the senior pontiff's statement, 'By doing so, I have restored the glory of the ancient mutt', is the open admission that the mutt's glory had been dented by Nithyananda's appointment. Nothing else would have given a better clarification on the much-debated issue.
Thank God they have done it at least now without waiting for another scintillating and sleazy video of the "God man"going rounds
An absolutely apt and necessary move.Thanks for The Hindu for hgighlighting the news and thus help put an end to pople's blind faith in human gods.
There are certain positions in the society like President, Judge,
Madathipathi, Governor - should be filled with people whose status
founded on virtues should rise above law. That is, even the impartial
law should show reverence to them. Now a days all this sanctimonious
positions are filled with people who fall below the line of law.
Whenever monsoon fails, people pray to god. When electricity failed, no
one prayed to god, because we all know the truth [science] behind the
story. Nithyanandas' is a typical example. Until the truth gets exposed,
everyone believes in mythology/religion... Once the truth comes out, the
fun begins.
Excellent news...
Nithy deserves even worse punishment. This is just the begining of the
end for him
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