A statue of Vivekananda, installed on Monday night near Thanumalayanswamy Temple at Suchindram, was removed by officials on Wednesday, following protest by political parties, including the AIADMK and the DMK.
Local leaders of the AIADMK and the DMK met Suchindram town panchayat officials, seeking removal of the permanent altar along with the statue of Vivekananda on Tuesday morning. They again gathered near the statue on Wednesday, seeking its removal.
Officials led by Agastheeswaram Tahsildhar Josethine Felicita Vasuki and police rushed to the spot and removed the stone altar and the statue. Ms. Vasuki told The Hindu that though the officials came to know about installation of the statue on Monday night, action could not be initiated due to Sivalaya Ottam.
The BJP workers opposed the removal of the statue. Thirteen BJP workers, including R.R. Murugesh, chairman, Suchindram town panchayat, were detained for protesting the removal and released later.
