Hindu Munnani (HM) held protests across Tamil Nadu on October 11, demanding that the C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government implement the Madras High Court’s orders concerning the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at an ancient stone pillar atop Thiruparankundram Hill, the abode of Bhagwan Murugan.
The protests, held in several districts ahead of the Karthigai Deepam festival, accused the TVK government of following the previous DMK government’s approach by challenging court verdicts rather than honouring them, allegedly out of fear of repercussions from the minority community.
On October 11, Hindu Munnani cadres and functionaries staged demonstrations across Tamil Nadu, barring Chennai, where a protest had already been held on October 4, to draw the state government’s attention to the issue.
Few days earlier, Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramakrishnan directed the Madurai Commissioner of Police to ensure the peaceful conduct of the festival and put adequate law-and-order measures in place.
The development came after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) objected to the preparation of prasadam, comprising mixed vegetable sambar rice, atop the hill as part of the annual Malai Mel Kumarar festival. The festival proceedings subsequently took place peacefully.
On October 11, Hindu Munnani cadres and functionaries staged demonstrations across the state to draw the government’s attention to the issue.
In Karur, more than 250 Hindu Munnani functionaries participated in an agitation held on Sunday evening.
In Sivaganga district, protests were held at Singampunari, demanding that the Karthigai Deepam be lit in accordance with the High Court’s orders.
In Mayiladuthurai district, Hindu Munnani cadres staged a protest near the Kittappa Angadi area, reiterating the same demand.
In Ramanathapuram:
In Salem district, Hindu Munnani held a demonstration near the Athur Clock Tower.
In Tiruppur, a protest was held under the leadership of Hindu Munnani state president C. Kadeswara Subramaniam.
In Coimbatore city, the Hindu Munnani state general secretary led a protest demanding that the Tamil Nadu government respect the High Court’s orders.
In Coimbatore North, Hindu Munnani cadres participated in a protest at Periyanaickenpalayam.
In Thiruvallur East district:
In Madurai, Hindu Munnani workers adopted a different approach to draw the attention of the Tamil Nadu government. They organised a Paravai Kavadi procession and brought children dressed as Bhagwan Murugan as part of their protest.
In Vellore district, a protest was held at the Latheri bus stand in the K.V. Kuppam East Union area. Hindu Munnani state secretary V. Rathinakumar addressed the gathering and spoke in detail about the issue.
In the Thiruvannamalai North district, Hindu Munnani functionaries staged a protest at Cheyyar.
In Ranipet district, Hindu Munnani district secretary Jagan led a protest attended by divisional convenor T.V. Rajesh and others.
Protests were also held in Kancheepuram, the Nilgiris, Gudalur, Aranthangi, Theni South, Kadayanallur in Tenkasi district, Manjakuppam in Cuddalore district, Aravakurichi in Karur district, Kodaikanal in Dindigul district, Nannilam in Tiruvarur district, Thiruvannamalai, Chengalpattu, Namakkal, Kolamangalam in Krishnagiri district, Chennimalai in Erode district, Salem, Uraiyur in Tiruchirappalli, Dharmapuri and several other locations.
Hindu Munnani president C. Kadeswara Subramaniam announced that a community-wide rendition of the Kanda Shasti Kavasam would be organised on November 14 to draw the attention of the TVK government to the issue.
In another development, the court accepted the petitioners’ contention that carrying the Vel, the sacred spear of Bhagwan Murugan, from the temple to the hilltop for abhishekam was an immemorial custom.
Arrests and demands for release
Hindu Munnani also sought the release of several individuals identified by the organisation as Karur Thirunavukkarasu, Kanyakumari Hayaram, Thiruvarur Vignesh and Palani Jagan, who were arrested by the police.
The organisation also recalled that, last year, the administration had permitted the Kanduri festival to be held atop the hill. Hindu Munnani alleged that non-vegetarian food had been cooked during the event and that a flag had been hoisted on a sacred tree, the sthala vriksham, belonging to the temple.
This year, the authorities reportedly imposed seven conditions for conducting the annual Malai Mel festival, during which the sacred spear is taken to the Kasi Viswanathar Temple atop the hill for a ritual bath and poojas.
The issue has become a point of contention between Hindu Munnani and the Tamil Nadu government, with the organisation demanding compliance with the court’s directions and the observance of temple traditions.
