Allegations of mocking Hindu religious sentiments while appeasing Muslim groups have resurfaced against the DMK over the continuing Thiruparankundram hill controversy.
The row follows the denial of permission for the Karthigai Deepam ritual, while allowing Kandoori during the Santhana Koodu festival at the same sacred hill.
On December 26, a group of Muslims from Tenkasi and Kerala attempted to climb Thiruparankundram hill carrying biryani and other non-vegetarian food.
The attempt occurred amid heightened tensions surrounding the Karthigai Deepam issue and pending court proceedings.
Police personnel stationed along the hill pathway stopped the Muslim group during security checks.
The hill houses the Bhagwan Subramaniam Swamy Temple and the Sikandar Badushah Dargah at its summit.
Police informed the group that carrying non-vegetarian food atop the hill was prohibited by tradition and court orders.
Following this, the group left the food at a nearby house and proceeded to the dargah without it.
The Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, is scheduled to hear a petition seeking directions to district authorities, police, and dargah management.
The petition seeks to prohibit Kandoori during the Santhana Koodu festival at Thiruparankundram hill.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on January 2, 2026.
The Kandoori festival is scheduled to be held on January 6.
The dispute began after the DMK government refused permission for Hindus to light lamps at the ancient stone light pillar on the hill.
Single and division benches of the High Court directed district and police officials to implement earlier orders.
Despite this, authorities allegedly on orders of DMK failed to allow the ritual.
As a result, government officials now face potential contempt proceedings, expected after the court reopens following Christmas holidays.
In court proceedings, the Tamil Nadu state government claimed the stone pillar was a corner boundary marker.
It was also argued that the pillar belonged to the Jain community, which allegedly used it for illumination at night.
Meanwhile, the Muslim groups separately claimed the structure fell under Waqf Board property.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department engaged senior advocates to oppose court directions. Critics alleged temple funds worth several lakhs were used to defend the government’s position.
Authorities initially denied Hindu devotees access to the Kashi Viswanathar Temple.
At the same time, Muslims were permitted to hoist a ceremonial flag marking the beginning of the Kandoori festival.
Devotees described this as a clear double standard.
Hindu devotees were frisked before climbing the hill.
Muslims, however, were allegedly allowed to carry flagpoles and flags in the presence of police and with security.
After sustained protests, police allowed Hindus limited access on December 22 evening, but with strict conditions.
Devotees alleged the permission was granted only to prevent objections to Muslim festivals.
Earlier incidents cited by devotees
The December 26 incident was not the first of its kind, devotees said.
In February, hundreds of Muslims allegedly marched towards the hill carrying goats and chickens for animal sacrifice.
That incident triggered widespread protests and escalated the Thiruparankundram issue.
It was followed by a massive gathering of over six lakh Murugan devotees, who assembled to express solidarity.
In 2025, Ramanathapuram MP Navas Kani, who heads the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, shared images on his official X handle.
The images showed Muslims consuming non-vegetarian biryani at the foothills of Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple hill.
He was accompanied by a DMK Muslim MLA during the event.
Navas Kani is affiliated with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
They claimed the area where food was consumed was Waqf property.
Hindu devotees further alleged attempts to rename Thiruparankundram hill as “Sikandar Hill”. They claimed such efforts were made with the active support of the DMK and its allies.
Meanwhile, M Manickamoorthi, describing himself as an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Murugan, moved the Madurai Bench.
He sought directions to the Madurai District Collector, police officials, and Sikandar Badushah Dargah management.
He requested a complete prohibition of Kandoori during the Santhana Koodu festival.
He argued that animal sacrifice and serving non-vegetarian food are integral to Kandoori rituals.
He said such practices violate the sanctity of the hill sacred to Bhagwan Murugan.
Reference to 2024 High Court ruling
The petitioner cited a 2024 High Court ruling.
The court held that animal sacrifice could not be permitted on the hill unless established through civil court proceedings.
Despite this, arrangements for Kandoori were allegedly made by the dargah management in 2024.
In October 2024, the Madurai Bench prohibited animal sacrifice at the Sikandar Badusha Dargah atop the hill.
The verdict was delivered by Justice R. Vijayakumar.
He was appointed as a third judge after a two-judge Bench delivered a split verdict in June 2025.
Justice M. Jothiraman has ordered notice to authorities and dargah management.
The court will next hear the matter on January 2, 2026, days before the proposed January 6 festival.
