User @Sanatani_Kanchipuram posted: "Stop weaponizing religion. The priest was enforcing maryada (decorum), not discrimination. The viral clip misses the 5 minutes prior where the devotee was abusing the priest."
The clip went viral not because of spectacular visuals, but because of . In an era where the "customer is king" has infiltrated even religious tourism, Devanathan’s blunt rejection of devotee rights was seen by millions as either:
Anger boiled over in Kanchipuram. Local citizen groups, such as the Kanchi Makkal Mantram , launched door-to-door awareness campaigns, distributed informative pamphlets, and organized street demonstrations demanding fast-track prosecutions. The Collateral Toll kanchipuram priest devanathan mms scandal
Users discuss the betrayal of trust when individuals in positions of high religious authority exploit their position.
: The videos depicted Devanathan seducing and engaging in sexual activities with various women who came to the temple for worship. Reports indicated he often used his position to offer "special pujas" to entice women into the sanctum while other devotees waited outside. In an era where the "customer is king"
, totaling about 90 minutes of footage, were discovered. These clips were reportedly handed over to an accomplice at a local video shop who then made and sold CDs. Legal Action and Arrest Kanchi priest sent to 3-day police custody | Chennai News
The consequences for Devanathan's immediate family were severe and immediate. In the aftermath of the scandal, his two young daughters, who were studying in Class V and IV, were expelled from their school. This incident highlights how the repercussions of one individual's actions often fall hardest on the most vulnerable, causing widespread distress in a conservative community. : The videos depicted Devanathan seducing and engaging
Police investigations revealed that Devanathan used his position as a priest to identify and target vulnerable women, particularly those who visited the temple alone. He would gain their trust by showing them favor, such as giving them preference for performing puja over others waiting outside the temple.
: Devanathan was accused of engaging in sexual acts with multiple women inside the temple's sanctum sanctorum (inner shrine) while devotees waited outside for puja.