A series of restrictions and conditions imposed in Tamil Nadu, from electricity connections for Vinayagar Chaturthi pandals and conditions on murti immersion processions to restrictions on the participation of women and children, opposition to Hindu religious celebrations and additional fees and charges at temples, has sparked anger among Hindus.
Electricity restrictions:
Tamil Nadu authorities have made NOC mandatory for temporary LT power connections to Vinayagar Chaturthi pandals, requiring a requisition letter, landowner permission and electrical load details. Direct tapping or illegal power use will be treated as power theft. Organisers must also pay commercial tariff rates, meter rental and a security deposit for the temporary connection.
Hindu Munnani has opposed restrictions imposed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board on pandals for Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations. Hindu Munnani senior functionary AT Elangovan said “we are forced to get temporary connection approvals from electricity authorities.
Elangovan said organisers are forced to pay a deposit of Rs.4,000 and Rs.3,000 for meters, but the caution deposit is rarely returned even after paying the power consumption charges and other dues. Officials advise organisers to collect the money from the public or devotees. They also have to move pillar to post for permission to instal and immerse Vinayagar murtis. He said the attitude of TN govt EB officials shocks Hindus and devotees.
He said organisers are also charged commercial rates instead of the usual domestic tariff, making the arrangements unfair and costly. In Telangana, the govt. provides free power supply to pandals across the state, while successive DMK, AIADMK and now TVK govts impose conditions after conditions every year.
Elangovan urged the Tamil Nadu CM to intervene and provide free power during the celebrations like the Telangana govt.
He argues that the TN government provides tons of sandalwood for the Kanthuri sandal paste festival and tons of rice for Ramzan porridge, and questions why Hindus should not expect similar concessions from the government instead of being subjected to impractical conditions.
Court declines to intervene
Meanwhile, on September 11, Madras High Court has refused to entertain a plea seeking enforcement of guidelines on murti immersion, noise control, and environmental protection.
The court observed that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was already considering the issue and added that the petitioner had approached the court without any cause of action.
A bench of Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan observed that the petitioner had approached it in advance, without any cause of action, even as the green panel and the government were issuing and implementing guidelines from time to time.
It said the petitioner should have approached it then instead of waiting until the eleventh hour, when the petitioner pointed out that the guidelines were not followed last year.
The bench said “We cannot issue directions based on apprehensions. As of today, there is no cause of action to entertain this petition. It is all in advance,”.
Dr R Karpagam, a social activist and founder of the Coimbatore-based Oli Awareness Movement, filed the PIL.
Women and children barred from murti immersion
Hindu Munnani strongly opposes the condition by the Revene Division Officer (RDO) Aruppukotti in Virdhunagar district that during the immersion procession women and children should not participate.
விநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி விழாவில் பெண்கள், குழந்தைகள் கலந்து கொள்ளக்கூடாது!?தமிழகத்தில் குழப்பம் ஏற்படுத்த சில கருப்பாடுகள் சூழ்ச்சியா? விநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி விழா சீரும் சிறப்பாக நடைபெற தமிழக முதல்வர் கவனம் கொடுக்க இந்து முன்னணி வேண்டுகோள் – மாநிலத் தலைவர் காடேஸ்வரா சுப்பிரமணியம் அவர்கள்… pic.twitter.com/0ItyogKOqF
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) September 11, 2026
It is a blatant violation of Constitution on worship and religious rights. It is an anti-hindu act. It is curtailing our constitutional rights. We condemn the RDO for the circular.
விநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி ஊர்வலத்தில் பெண்கள் குழந்தைகள் கலந்துகொள்ள கூடாது..
விருதுநகர் மாவட்டம், அருப்புக்கோட்டை பகுதியில் நடைபெற இருக்கும் விநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி ஊர்வலத்தில் பெண்கள் மற்றும் குழந்தைகள் கலந்து கொள்ள கூடாது என்று வருவாய் கோட்டாட்சியர் சுற்றறிக்கை வெளியிட்டு உள்ளார்.
இது… pic.twitter.com/kH0KOXg0Sh
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) September 11, 2026
Muslims oppose minister’s visit to Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations
Local Islamic and Communist groups have publicly opposed and challenged Prohibition and Excise Minister Vignesh for his participation in a Vinayagar Chaturthi festival celebration.
The political opposition and public demonstrations surrounding the minister’s festival visit primarily unfolded around the Kurichi and Coimbatore regions.
These selective political parties never oppose or question why DMK, Left, VCK, AIADMK, TVK attend iftar parties wearing their skull cap and drinking porridge there?
They opposed when TN Agriculture minister R Vinoth took budget papers to Tirumala for blessings but did not question Marie Wilson carrying rosary and started reading after prayer as per Christian custom.
Why they single out Hindus. or they dare to announce they do not want Hindus’ votes”.
விநாயகர் சதுர்த்தி விழா | அமைச்சர் விக்னேஷுக்கு மிரட்டல்? தவெகவுக்கு விடுக்கப்படும் சவால் | #Coimbatore #Kurichi #VinayagarChaturthi #VinayagarChaturthiFestival #TVK #TamilagaVetriKazhagam #Vignesh #ReligiousFestival #HinduFestival #NewsUpdate #BreakingNews #ShreeTV #ShreeTVNews pic.twitter.com/Y40l5BbWRE
— Shreemedia (@Shreetv_media) September 11, 2026
Reacting to these, Elangovan said this is other side of the people who oppose festivals but give rose milk to Hindus to show their affection and love which the media flash it saying their social harmony and respecting Hiindu faith.
விநாயகர் சிலை வைக்க அனுமதி மறுப்பு..
ரோஸ்மில்க் கொடுப்பவர்களின் மறுபக்கம்..திருப்பூர் – காட்டுப்பாளையத்தில் விநாயகர் சிலை வைக்க அனுமதி மறுக்கப்பட்ட நிலையில், நீதிமன்றம் சென்று போராடி வெற்றிக்கண்ட இந்துக்கள்!!#Tiruppur #Kaattupalayam #VinayagarChaturthi #TNPolice #HinduMunnani pic.twitter.com/YKC3Qz71vC
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) September 11, 2026
Hindu Munnani questioned the conditions imposed in Keezhakarai. it asked whether Keezhakarai is Tamil Nadu or in Pakistan.
கீழக்கரை தமிழ்நாட்டில் இருக்கிறதா? பாகிஸ்தானில் இருக்கிறதா?😤 pic.twitter.com/lB2axqX7Sr
— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) September 11, 2026
Anti-Hindu decisions at temples
In another incident, mysterious persons throwing pamphlets with disparaging remarks comparing Hindu sastras, slokas, hymns with Christian prayers.
They are active only in nights in Kanyakumari region which is dominated by Christians.
கோயில் மந்திரங்களை இழிவுபடுத்தி கிறிஸ்தவத்துடன் ஒப்பிடும் நோட்டீஸ் | இரவு நேரத்தில் வீசும் மர்ம கும்பல் | குமரியில் சுற்றும் பரபரப்பு வீடியோ | #Kollancode #Kanyakumari #KanyakumariNews #HinduMunnani #BJP #HinduReligion #HinduMantras #ReligiousControversy #ShreeTV #ShreeTVNews pic.twitter.com/4S3l9ryuoF
— Shreemedia (@Shreetv_media) September 11, 2026
Even the opposition to banning cell phones inside temples and collecting Rs.5 fee for safe keeping, now in Thiruparankundram the cost of prasad sold insider temple have skyrocketed.
Devotees say, the prices have been doubled. They want it should be reduced to old prices.
What is the reply of the HR and CE minister Ramesh, who justified the cell phone keeping fee only to meet prasad making and Anna dhan, temple staff salaries?.”
"திருப்பரங்குன்றம் சுப்பிரமணியசுவாமி திருக்கோயிலில் நேற்று முதல் பிரசாதங்களின் விலை உயர்வு!"🚨
2 மடங்கு உயர்த்தப்பட்ட பிரசாதங்களின் விலையை குறைக்க வேண்டும் என பக்தர்கள் கோரிக்கை.
செல்போனுக்கு ₹5 வசூலிப்பது, இலவச பிரசாதத்திற்காக எனக் கூறிய 5ரூபாய் அமைச்சரின் பதில் என்ன இதற்கு?… pic.twitter.com/gBEXdJoKHd
— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) September 11, 2026
Critics say, “there is a systematic and orchestrated efforts are to slowly and steadily demoralise the Hindus and give up their customs, traditions, temple worshipping and their temple visits.
With that intent, it levies various fees to refrain them from visiting temples. Even locals are also facing such ordeals. No mosque or Church collect such things.
HR and CE should copy the Dikshthar run Chidambaram temple model where not a penny is collected and they distribute prasad in good quantity to devotees besides good upkeep”.
