Consecration of temple on DD Health's office premises in Madurai draws flak
As against the rules of the Government of Tamil Nadu, a religious event subsequent to the construction of a temple-like structure was conducted on the office premises of Deputy Director of Health Services in Madurai on Thursday and Friday.
An invitation which was allegedly released by the district health services office mentions that as a temple belonging to a particular religion was being raised on the office premises, the office staff and others were invited to attend the consecrating event and homam during 6 p.m to 9 p.m on June 5 and from 9 a.m to 1 p.m on June 6, said sources.
Anand Raj, a social activist based in Madurai, said that a district health office was a place where people of all religions visit for health-related reasons.
As per several Tamil Nadu government rules and Madras High Court orders, conducting of such religious events in a government office, not confined to any particular religion, was against the rules of the State, he added.
Particularly, Government Order No. 426, Personnel and Administrative Reforms (Per-A) Department, dated 13.12.1993, prohibited the construction of any new structure for religious worship within the office campus, or enlargement or modification of any existing structure for similar purpose, Mr. Anand Raj stated.
Further, he said that the order stressed that, 'It restricted the practice of worship of different faiths in office premises by government staff.'
Point 3 of the G.O. pointed out that: 'In view of the direction of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court all Heads of Departments are requested to follow the above instructions scrupulously and it is the responsibility of the Head of Department/Head of Office to ensure that the prohibition made under the said G.O. is implemented in letter and spirit. The Heads of departments are also requested to instruct all the sub-ordinate offices under their control to follow the instructions issued in G.O. Ms. No. 426, Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, without fail.'
Citing the instructions of the order, Mr. Anand Raj said that while it was the duty of higher officials to ensure such events do not take place, it is learned that Director of Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Madurai Deputy Director of Health Services have headed and took part in the event.
'When the State government espouses or follows the principle of secularism, such religious events in government offices should be prevented and strict action should be taken against those who disrespect the orders,' he stated.
A health official, who did not want to be named said, the invitation for the event was shared with the doctors, staff and officials though a What's App group.
Madurai district Collector M.S. Sangeetha said that she did not receive any information about such an event.
'I will look into it and take necessary action,' she added.
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