Dikshithars heading for another legal tangle

Row over conferment of ‘Uthsav Acharya’ title

The Podhu Dikshithars of the Sri Sabanayagar Temple here (the Nataraja temple) seem to be heading for another legal tangle over the conferment of the title Uthsav Acharya.

The title is conferred on a Dikshithar through the draw of lots before organising very special events such as ‘kumbabhishekam’ and ‘yagnas’ and important festivals being held in the Tamil months of Aani and Margazhi.

For the conduct of the Margazhi festival in 2012, the Podhu Dikshithars’ Committee selected S. Swarna Sabesa Dikshithar as Uthsav Acharya. However, after his selection, it was found that he was not living with his wife, a prerequisite for the title. Therefore, the committee took back the title from him and instead selected S.V. Nagabushana Dikshithar to perform the rituals.

However, for the coming Margazhi event scheduled for December 27, Swarna Sabesa Dikshithar has staked his claim for the title. He told reporters here recently that there were no rules that prevented a Dikshthar, who got estranged from his spouse, from holding the title. He also filed a case in the Chidambaram Munsif Court, alleging that a group of five Dikshithars — headed by Bhaskar Dikshithar, secretary of the committee — that unceremoniously took away his title. He said that even while the case was pending disposal, the committee appointed Nataraja Subramaniaya Dikshithar to conduct the event.

Swarna Sabesa Dikshithar said that as the former Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, was instrumental in the Dikshithars getting back their absolute right over the Nataraja temple, he and his family would make a representation to her and also to her successor O. Panneerselvam.

Response

In response to Swarna Sabesa Dikshithar’s accusations, Bhaskar Dikshithar told reporters that the affairs of the temple were managed as per the rules and tenets for thousands of years. All the events were being conducted as per Agamas and Sastras. On no account would the committee compromise on it. But Swarna Sabesa Dikshithar, under the influence of certain external forces, had sought to claim his rights — when there was none — through legal recourse, though he was aware that his current marital status would not allow him to hold the title.

Bhaskar Dikshithar further said the committee was also prepared to pursue the legal course to its logical conclusion.