The latest to join the chorus against the Archaeological Survey of India's move to take over the Pallava-era Sri Sthalasayana Perumal temple in Mammallapuram is MDMK chief Vaiko. He has sought the state's intervention in the ASI's decision to declare the temple a monument of national importance.
The MDMK chief on Monday slammed the ASI for "unilaterally" issuing a public notice in May last to take over the temple, without even looking into public sentiments on the matter and without obtaining the state government's approval.
ASI has notified about 450 sites in the state, including 156 in Kancheepuram. "The central agency had targeted several small and big towns in Kancheepuram and the state will lose control over Kancheepuram after a while," Vaiko warned. He demanded that the Tamil Nadu assembly adopt a resolution against the ASI's move.