Provoke or mock Hindu rituals or sacred places, wait for retaliation, and if Hindus assert their rights, play the victim card—a standard template of fanatic Muslims in India. As things are being reassessed, fanatic Muslims in Tamil Nadu have called for the slaughter of goats and chickens at the sacred hilltop of the Murugan temple on February 18, a renewed attempt to Islamise the Murugan temple at Thiruparankundram.
As part of such sinister agenda, the posters have sprung up in areas of Madurai, announcing that on the February 18, goats and chickens will be slaughtered at the Madurai Thiruparankundram hilltop called as ‘Sikandar Hill Hazrat Sikandar Badusha Dargah’ in Muslim circles. The posters state, “To protect the right to worship at the dargah, the slaughter of animals is being planned.”
Issued by the Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badusha Dargah, Madurai Muslim United Jamaath, and allied political parties, the posters mention that after the sacrificial slaughter, the meat will be distributed to all during the Samapandhi (a feast). An appeal has been made to Muslims living in Madurai and the surrounding areas to attend these important events in large numbers.
மீண்டும் மீண்டும் மதக் கலவரத்தை தூண்டும் இஸ்லாமிய அமைப்புகள்.
சகோதரத்துவம் பேசிக்கொண்டே
இந்துக்களுக்கு எதிராக களமிறங்கும் அமைப்புகள். pic.twitter.com/3JtHcDfadc— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) February 9, 2025
In a counter-move, Hindu Munnani announced via a post on X:
“Identifying the enemies of Hindus is easier when we unite. To drive them out, all Hindus should recite the Skanda Shasti Kavacham (hymns with verses meant to protect against all types of evils, witches, demons, wild animals, and both direct and indirect enemies) on Thai Poosam day (an important festival in temples dedicated to Bhagwan Murugan) and save Thiruparankundram Hill. We will assemble in large numbers, as we did on the February 4, at Thiruparankundram despite police high-handedness. In all Murugan temples in our areas, we will sing the Skanda Shasti Kavacham, light lamps (diyas), and take a vow to protect Thiruparankundram Hill from invaders and minority-appeasement political parties with wicked intentions.”
இந்து விரோதிகளை அடையாளம் காண்பது அவசியம்!
அவர்களை விரட்ட
கோவில்களில் தைப்பூச தினத்தன்று
கந்தசஷ்டி கவசம் பாடுவோம்!
திருப்பரங்குன்றம் மலையை காக்க விரதம் பூணுவோம்!அந்த பகுதி
கோவில்களில்
ஒன்று கூடுவோம்!
கந்தசஷ்டி கவசம் பாடுவோம்!திருப்பரங்குன்றம் காக்க
தீபம் ஏற்றுவோம்!!… pic.twitter.com/3sSSV5Q6qu— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) February 10, 2025
Growing Tensions and Political Involvement
The standoff erupted after members of the Muslim community demanded permission to sacrifice goats and chickens at the Sikandar Badusha Dargah on Thiruparankundram Hill. Hindu organisations strongly opposed the demand, leading to a ban on animal sacrifices at the site. This has resulted in escalating tensions between the two groups.
The ruling DMK, along with its allies such as the VCK, Left parties, Congress, AIADMK, actor Joseph Vijay’s TVK, and Seeman’s NTK, have supported the SDPI and other fundamentalist outfits spearheading the current protests. These groups have submitted petitions seeking permission to proceed with animal sacrifices and public food distribution.
Political Protests and Clashes
On January 21, Hindu Munnani questioned the DMK’s role in the rising tensions, stating: “Is the DMK inciting religious riots in Tamil Nadu? DMK MLA Abdul Samad’s activities in Tirupparankundram are highly condemnable.” — Press statement from State President Kadeswara C. Subramaniam
Is DMK inciting religious riots in Tamil Nadu? DMK MLA Abdul Samad’s survey in Tirupparankunram – Hindu Munnani strongly condemns it. Press statement from State President Kadeswara C. Subramaniam.#Thirupparankunram #Murugantemple #AbdulSamad #PressRelease #HinduMunnani… pic.twitter.com/bJTlMNMOVS
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) January 21, 2025
The situation worsened after Nawaz Kani, Chairman of the Waqf Board, Indian Union Muslim League state vice president, and MP from Ramanathapuram, visited Thiruparankundram along with members of various organisations. A photo shared on his social media, showing him eating non-vegetarian food on the hill, sparked criticism from Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai and Union Minister L. Murugan, who demanded his resignation.
Hindu Munnani announced a protest to protect Thiruparankundram Hill on February 4, 2025, with several Hindu organisations pledging their participation. Despite Section 144 being imposed only in Madurai district, police made preventive arrests across the state, targeting leaders from Hindu Munnani, BJP, and other Sangh Parivar outfits. Many were placed under house arrest. Undeterred by such intimidatory tactics, Hindu groups declared that they would proceed with their planned protests regardless of obstacles.
Legal Battles and Historical Context
Muthukumar, a Madurai-based lawyer, submitted a petition to the Madurai district collector seeking permission to offer piglets at the Kashi Vishwanathar Temple on Thiruparankundram Hill, seemingly as a counter to the animal sacrifice demands.
Meanwhile, the Madurai High Court division bench allowed the protest at an alternative location and questioned the police regarding the selective enforcement of Section 144. It also directed the release of detained individuals, enabling them to participate in the protest on the 4th. Within an hour of the court’s decision, thousands of Hindus gathered on the evening of 4th February, staging a demonstration at Palanganatham in Madurai city.
Historical Claims and Disputes
In the 14th century, Islamic invader Alauddin Khilji’s general Malik Kafur invaded Madurai to loot its wealth. Between 1330 and 1370 AD, ten Muslim chieftains were in charge of Madurai. Among them was Sikandar Shah, the last ruler, who was unpopular and allegedly targeted Hindus. In 1378, Kambannar mobilised forces against Sikandar Khan, defeated him in battle, and amputated his right hand and left leg as punishment. Sikandar was buried in Goripalayam by his paramour. Tamil Nadu state tourism pamphlets confirm this historical account.
In 1930, the Privy Council in London ruled in favour of the temple’s claim over the sacred Thirupparankundram Hill, citing historical documents, including records from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The judges, including Lord Atkinson, Lord Thankerton, Lord Macmillan, Sir George Leylands, and Sir Dinshaw Mulla, observed:
“There seems to be no suggestion that the Thirupparankundram temple or any of its adjuncts ever passed into secular hands.”
This legal precedent still stands today, affirming the temple’s ownership of the hill beyond any doubt.
It was the Privy Council in London which ruled in favour of the claim of the temple to the sacred Tirupparankundram Hill by quoting the historical documents of the temple, including that from ASI. It observed
“There seems to be no suggestion that the Tirupparankundram temple or… pic.twitter.com/kGwE4gUovx
— 𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳 (@tskrishnan) February 5, 2025
An 1858 image of Thiruparankundram Hill, without the dargah, further supports claims of its original association with the temple.
— Ramar Thiruppathi 💥🚩 (@RamarThirupath1) January 19, 2025
Political Speculations
Critics argue that “Muslim organisations have deliberately reignited this issue to sow the seeds of communal discord in the Madurai Thirupparankundram area, aiming to tarnish the BJP’s image ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, where it is poised to play a key role. If left unchecked, the matter could escalate into a conflict comparable to the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi or the Kashi Janmasthan disputes.”
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