Beware of fake godmen: Chief Minister Karunanidhi| Nithyananda swamy escape in haridwar?

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said the government would not be a mute spectator to those who cheat people in the name of religion and superstitious beliefs and they would be punished severely.

Even while understanding the compulsions of the media while exposing fake godmen, the Chief Minister also urged the media to show restraint while beaming visuals or carrying news items that may corrupt the young minds.
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In a press release here, the Chief Minister said, ‘the media expose on Nithayananda and his escapades with an actress at his ashram has brought to light the vulnerability of the masses, who remain ignorant despite ‘lessons’ on rationalism by Dravidian movement for several decades.’

‘The traits of such fake god men were exposed through films, dramas for several years. But there are people who still fall prey to them. The State government will take stringent action against such men, who cheat people’.

Apparently referring to the (pornographic) visuals that were telecast in a satellite channel and photographs that appeared in a bi-weekly, Karunanidhi said, ‘the repeated airing of such visuals will have an adverse impact on young, impressionable minds. Those who care for a better tomorrow should think about this.’

Urging the media to co-operate with the State government, Karunanidhi said, ‘they can share such news with the State government and the police department, who would take appropriate action. Such acts (by the media) will eventually provide opportunities for offenders to justify their acts’.

Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner T Rajendran today said that a cheating case has been registered against Nithyananda under Sec 420 by the Chennai police. A group of advocates had called on the Commissioner on Wednesday and lodged a complaint seeking action against Nithyananda. Vithyanada swamy escape in haridwar.

Meanwhile, sources in the Nithyananda Ashram denied his involvement in the scandal. They said, he is in Hardiwar to participate in Kumbhamela. Hence on his behalf a CD would be screened for the media persons at his ashram premises tomorrow. A reply of sorts to the allegations are expected to be featured in the CD.

No sooner the visuals of Nithyananda and the actress were aired on television, than the people vandalised his ashrams across the State and set to fire his photographs and posters.

A petition has been filed on Nithyananda’s behalf at the City Civil Court seeking a stay on beaming the visuals. The case has been posted for hearing on 8 March.

Also sources close to Swami claim that it could be a conspiracy hatched to threaten Nithyananda and extort money. These vested interests, they allege, are in connivance with his car driver Dharmanandha alias Lenin Karuppan. The driver is reportedly absconding for a week.

Interestingly, Nithyananda has emerged as a ‘trending topic’ on the buzzing Twitter platform. Also, ‘youtube’ videos of Swami have been downloaded the most since yesterday.