For Hindu outfits in Tamil Nadu, getting approval from the government ruling at the time has remained a major concern. This year has been no different from previous years. In some places, there has been opposition from minority communities, while allegations of police officers from that community acting against Hindus have also surfaced.
Vinayaka murtis seized in Tirunelveli
In the first incident, Police Sub-Inspectors Luke Hasan and Abraham Joseph, attached to Devarkulam police station in Tirunelveli district, have allegedly seized Vinayaka murtis meant for Chathurthi celebrations and dumped them in a garbage heap located in the backyard of their police station.
நெல்லை தேவர்குளம் காவல்நிலையம்: விநாயகர் சிலை உடைப்பு | காவல்துறை அராஜகம் | #Vinayagar #VinayagarIdol #Devarkulam #Tirunelveli #HinduMunnani #Kutralanathan #Police #PoliceComplaint #PoliceAction #Protest #HinduCulture #HinduFaith #Ganesh #GaneshChaturthi #ShreeTV #ShreeTVNews pic.twitter.com/9ViVX749Ti
— Shreemedia (@Shreetv_media) September 9, 2026
On hearing of the incident, Hindu Munnani functionaries raised objections and sought action against the police personnel over what they described as a sacrilegious act against Hindu Bhagwans.
It is learnt that the police acted on a petition filed by village administrative officer Rasaiah (allegedly a Christian). The murtis were in a damaged condition.
குப்பையாக வீசப்பட்ட விநாயகர் சிலைகள் | மாற்றுமத அதிகாரிகளின் அராஜகம் | கா. குற்றாலநாதன் கண்டனம் | #Vinayagar #VinayagarIdol #Devarkulam #Tirunelveli #HinduMunnani #Kutralanathan #Police #PoliceComplaint #PoliceAction #Protest #HinduCulture #GaneshChaturthi #ShreeTV #ShreeTVNews pic.twitter.com/M7akP7Y4uq
— Shreemedia (@Shreetv_media) September 9, 2026
Nellai Hindu Munnani functionary Brahmanayagam told Organiser that until action was taken, Hindu Munnani would not attend peace meetings or other meetings, would not seek permission to install murtis and would leave the matter to the government.
However, police clarified that the Devarkulam police had seized Ganesh murtis made using Plaster of Paris (PoP) as per law. The clarification came after Hindu Munnani demanded action against the police personnel over the seizure. The Hindu outfit had also alleged that the seized murtis were kept in an unsafe condition.
Police sources said, “75 murtis of Bhagwan Vinayaka were seized from the Karuppasamy temple at South Poolangulam, along with 17 incomplete murtis, eight bags of Plaster of Paris powder and moulds, and brought to the Devarkulam police station.”
“The seized murtis were temporarily brought to the station and kept in an open area, covered with tarpaulins. However, the 17 incomplete murtis remained uncovered. An unidentified person recorded a video showing the murtis kept in the open and circulated it on social media.
“In the video, the tarpaulin-covered murtis are also seen,” the officer added.
The officer further said that all the murtis were later fully covered with tarpaulins since they were case property. Following the outrage, the police moved them to another place for safe custody and refused to allow the public to view them.
Restrictions on women and children
In Virudhunagar, at a meeting, police reportedly read out conditions saying that no women and children would be allowed to take part in processions. This was objected to by Hindus.
Disposing of a petition filed by S. Anbumani, Hindu Munnani Tiruppur District Executive Committee member, on September 10, the Madras High Court directed the Tiruppur police to grant permission for installing a Vinayaka murti at an identified location, stating that worship is a fundamental right.
Reacting to the restrictions, Hindu Munnani state functionary Rajesh questioned whether “we are in Pakistan, Afghanistan or any other Muslim countries”.
கீழக்கரை தமிழ்நாட்டில் இருக்கிறதா? பாகிஸ்தானில் இருக்கிறதா?? | #Keelakarai #Ramanathapuram #SanathanVinayaka #GaneshChaturthi2026 #HinduMunnani pic.twitter.com/qP53cJslYO
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) September 11, 2026
13 guidelines for Vinayaka Chathurthi in Chennai
At a meeting attended by Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police Amal Das and other officers, police issued 13 guidelines for Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations.
The guidelines include a height limit of 10 feet for murtis and prohibit their placement near places of worship, hospitals or schools. Slogans that could incite communal disharmony are prohibited, while political or religious banners will not be permitted.
Organisers must appoint two volunteers at each pandal for security. On immersion, police stated that murtis can be taken only along approved routes, in authorised vehicles and only on permitted days.
The use of crackers in pandals, processions or immersion points is banned. Organisers have also been directed not to install banners supporting political parties and religious leaders. Immersions must be conducted peacefully in accordance with court and government orders.
Representatives from the BJP, VHP, Hindu Munnani, Hindu Makkal Katchi, Shiv Sena, Hindu Hanuman Sena and Bharath Hindu Munnani took part in the meeting.
Hindu organisations have pointed out that the High Court and Supreme Court have repeatedly said that they should not have to approach courts every year and that permission should be given automatically. They have also argued that citing mosques, churches or minority-dominated dwelling areas should not be an excuse for denying permission.
Shobana Ravi questions government
Former DD News reader Shobana Ravi, in an open communication, brought the issue to the government’s attention, saying that the government did not appear to be secular and alleging that major and key appointments were being given to members of the Christian community.
அன்புள்ள மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதல்வர் திரு விஜய் அவர்களே,
தங்களுக்கு மதச் சார்பு இல்லாதது போல் தோன்றுகிறது. ஆனால் அரசுப் பணி நியமனங்கள் பலவும் கிறிஸ்துவ சமூகத்தை சேர்ந்தவர்களுக்கே அளிக்கப்படுகிறது. முகலாயக் கட்டுப்பாட்டிலிருந்தும் ஆங்கிலேயர் ஆதிக்கத்திலிருந்தும், தப்பி வந்த…
— Shobana Ravi, Author. (@ShobanaRaviNews) September 9, 2026
She said, “We, the Hindus, have survived the controls and atrocities of Mughals and Britishers but we are back to that same regime. Education and Hindu culture are forgotten but moving to a depth less British culture and in education. This we do not have want. In the previous DMK, the hardships and dishonours faced by Hindus are innumerable. People who do not know ABCD of Dharmic values talked about Sanatana and its destruction. Thank God. That regime has gone.”
Ravi further said, “When an MLA cites some passages from Bhagavat Gita, some in the chair was tense and the same person said Jesus to say God. They can’t force another religion to us. Please ensure Our position should not become from fire to the frying pan situation.”
She also referred to the government’s Krishna Jayanthi greetings and said she believed the government would give equal opportunity to all.
“Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done,” she said.
To support her accusation, she referred to the recent reshuffle in which Divya was appointed as secretary to the Education Department, with Hindu leaders alleging that it was a move to Christianise education.
அப்பட்டமாக இப்படி எல்லோரையும் கிருஸ்துவராக நியமனம் செய்தால் மத அரசியல் என்று சாமானியனுக்கு கூட தெரியும்.! @CMOTamilnadu 😤 pic.twitter.com/tbrgN9sYeV
— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) September 9, 2026
In another appointment, Katherin Saranya was appointed as the first woman Commissioner of Vellore Corporation. She is the wife of current Vellore SP Sivaraman.
கிருத்துவனை டிஸ்டர்ப் பன்னாதே அவனை அசால்டாக எண்ணிவிடாதே பாடலை – முதல்வர் ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்களுக்கு டெடிகேட் செய்கிறேன் 🙏 pic.twitter.com/FBYUQhdnZq
— குறுநில மன்னன்😎👑 (@Narenkumar_Ravi) September 9, 2026
Assembly Speaker’s Biblical reference
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker John Christian Devavaram Prabhakar, closing his eyes, quoted a Biblical verse written by the Apostle Peter in the New Testament: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
He said, “None of this happened because of me. Everything happened because of Him. My name was removed at last minutes in earlier times during MGR and Jayalalithaa time. I missed Ministerial positions. After our CM came to power now, I am Speaker. It was due to the grace of Jesus peruman and all this happening as per his wishes.”
கண்ணை மூடினால்.. சந்தேகமே வேண்டாம் | சர்ச்சா? சட்டசபையா? | #TNAssembly | #JCDPrabhakar | #Chruch | #AssemblySession | #CMVijay | #Speaker | #EPS | #UdhayanidhiStalin | #DMK | #ADMK | #TVK | #ShreeTVNews | #ShreeTVUpdate | pic.twitter.com/wdBDRYWx4U
— Shreemedia (@Shreetv_media) September 9, 2026
Reacting to this, Shree Media said that whenever he closes his eyes there is no doubt that he is praying, and questioned whether it is a church or state legislature.
Trichy burial ground dispute
In another incident, an untouchable wall was reportedly built to prevent Dalit Christians from using the burial ground of others in Trichy. Critics cited the incident while questioning claims that caste discrimination exists in Hinduism but not in Christianity.
இதுக்கு பருத்தி மூட்டை குடோன்லயே இருந்திருக்கலாம்.
இந்து மதத்தில் இருந்தா அது #தீண்டாமைச்சுவர்
பிற மதங்களில் இருந்தால் அது #குறுக்குச்சுவர்
😂😂சாதி,மதத்தை உடைச்சிட்டோம் என புருடா பேசிய #ஜோசப்_விஜய் இதைச் சரிசெய்வாரா? pic.twitter.com/kD3admfvYP
— மன்னர் மன்னன் Fanclub (@mannar_mannan28) September 11, 2026
Critics said that besides the Chief Minister, ministers Adahav Arujuna and N Marie Wilson, adviser John Arockiyasamy and others are Christians.
They also questioned key appointments such as CoP Amul Raj and appointments in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, alleging that the Chief Minister’s Loyola College friends were given priority over others.
The developments have led Hindu organisations and critics to question whether the TVK government is providing equal treatment to Hindus during Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations and in government appointments.
