Polarisation is what strikes you when you see India today. There are all kinds of divisions and perhaps more will come. In that eternal drive for power, there are vested interests that seem to forever be stoking the fires of hatred. Of course, it is all done in the name of communal justice and harmony. Chennai has thus far remained above it all, though of late there are many undercurrents which hopefully will remain just that.
It is still not established by fact that the Kapaleeswarar Temple was demolished by the Portuguese to make way for a church, though Whatsapp may claim otherwise. And let us give them the benefit of doubt. The temple was relocated from the coast and rebuilt by Nattu Muthiappa Mudali. The tank fronting it is on land that once belonged to the Nawabs of Arcot. That was gifted to the shrine, with the proviso that the Muslims be given permission to immerse their taziyas during Muharram there. That does not happen any more but the Nawab still gets an invite to participate in the temple’s float festival.
