The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department on Monday took over the administration of the 64-year-old Ayodhya Mandapam, also known as Ayodhya Ashwamedha Maha Mandapam, in West Mambalam. This was done despite protest by residents of the area, who were supported by representatives of various political outfits.
The protest, which began in the morning, intensified by afternoon and the police made preventive arrests as tension prevailed in the area. BJP councillor Uma Anandan, who was part of the protests, said the move was illegal. The HR&CE Department, she said, had no business in taking over the Sri Ram Samaj-run Ayodhya Mandapam, which was not a temple.
