CHIDAMBARAM: The police on Wednesday arrested 338 activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, including S.K.Mahendran MLA, when they marched in protest against the ban on reciting `Thevaram' and `Thiruvasagam' inside the Natarajar temple.

They assembled in front of the Periyar statue on the West Street and held a meeting before taking out the march. It passed through the South Street and, when they were about to enter the temple through the East Street, the police took them into custody. They were released in the evening.

Mr. Mahendran told reporters that the ban was condemnable and urged the State Government to go in appeal to get the ban, imposed by the Chidambaram Munsif Court, lifted.

The Podhu Dhikshithars, who are administering the temple, have obtained a stay against the entry of Arumugha Samy, a Saivite from Kumudimulai, into the temple for reciting Thevaram at Thiruchitrambalam, a hall in front of the sanctum sanctorum.

Mr. Mahendran said when the Centre had conferred Classical Language status on Tamil and made it compulsory in educational institutions, its exclusion from the premises of places of worship was highly objectionable. He urged the State Government to pass an ordinance immediately to facilitate the takeover of the temple by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Ministry.

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