Tamil Nadu is witnessing controversy after an aide to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna entered the Thiruvannamalai temple while wearing a religious skull cap, despite objections from devotees on October 16.
During a temple inspection or visit involving TVK Minister Aadhav Arjuna and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister S. Ramesh, an assistant, believed to be a non-Hindu, entered the temple premises wearing his traditional Islamic skull cap. On seeing him, some devotees objected to his entering the temple with the cap. He allegedly did not sign the register, saying that he has faith in Hinduism.
On September 28, the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay signed a faith undertaking in a register at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, before proceeding past the flagstaff (kodimaram) for darshan.
An order by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court requires non-Hindu devotees to sign a declaration in a register affirming their faith and agreement to follow temple customs before entering beyond the kodimaram (flag mast) into the inner shrines of Bhagwan.
Earlier, Madurai Central MLA V.M.S. Mustafa (also known as Madhar Badhurudeen or V.N.S. Mustafa) of the TVK party sparked a political and social controversy after visiting the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple while wearing a skull cap before the kumbabhishekam and during the event.
Devotees objected to his visit and inspection because he wore a traditional Muslim skull cap without signing the register. He had echoed Udhayanidhi’s pledge to destroy Sanatana Dharma. He is considered a Muslim chauvinist.
Many have questioned how a non-Hindu who has not affirmed his faith in Hinduism can enter the Thiruvannamalai temple while retaining his religious identity. Would Hindus be allowed into their places of worship? They do not allow any processions of linked to Hindu festivals, be Vinayaka murtis or RSS rallies through their streets where mosques and churches are located.
In the recent incident on October 17, critics questioned whether the TVK ministers were using their positions of power to display such tenacious behaviour.
"ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட மத அடையாளத்துடன் ஒருவரைக் கோயிலுக்குள் எப்படி அனுமதிக்கலாம்?"
– அதிகாரத் திமிரில் ஆடும் தவெக அமைச்சர்கள் ஆதவ் மற்றும் ரமேஷை கேள்விகளால் துளைத்தெடுத்த பக்தர்! pic.twitter.com/pnyNy0sxPG
— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) October 17, 2026
Temple activist TR Ramesh said in a post on X: “A Muslim visited the Thiruvannamalai temple along with ministers. First, it was in Madurai and now in Thiruvannamalai. Is it a ploy for a bigger change in the temple? Is it a rehearsal for that?
“When a Muslim woman came to the Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple in 2023, the poojas were stopped and resumed after prayashchitta poojas. The sanctity of the temple is important.
“As far as the HR&CE, which has no virtue or dharmic nature, is concerned, the Thiruvannamalai temple has become a place where money rains down. They can give tenders and contracts to anyone they favour and swindle money. For them, sanctity and convention are immaterial.
“E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker had described a political party as one that would lick anyone’s feet for its survival. It comes to mind now when thinking about HR&CE officials. They cannot recover the 500 acres of temple land from encroachers.”
இஸ்லாமிய மதத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஒருவர் திருவண்ணாமலை ஸ்ரீ அருணாசலேஸ்வரர் கோயிலுக்கு வந்துள்ளார். அமைச்சருடன் தான் அவர் வந்துள்ளார். முதலில் மதுரை. தற்போது திருவண்ணாமலையில். ஏதாவது பெரிய மாற்றத்திற்கு இந்த அரசு ஒத்திக்கை பார்க்கிறதா? ?
இதுவே கேரளாவில் திருவனந்தபுரம் ஸ்ரீ பத்மநாப…
— trramesh (@trramesh) October 17, 2026
Recently, teachers at Amala Convent for Girls in Thakkalai, Kanyakumari district, cut the sacred wrist threads worn by students. The incident sparked outrage, with questions being raised about why nuns and others proudly wear the holy cross and attire associated with their faith, while Hindu girls are questioned for following their religious identities. Earlier, a headmaster was suspended for similar acts at a government-aided school in Thoothukudi district.
In October 2026, reports and discussions emerged following the transfer of a Public Works Department (PWD) engineer named Parimala, who was serving as a supervising engineer in the Urban Habitat Development Board, to the HR&CE Department.
Hindu Munnani condemned the appointment of non-Hindus to the HR&CE Department, saying that only persons professing the Hindu religion are legally eligible to be appointed as commissioners, officers or servants in the HR&CE Department and the institutions it administers, and that they must officially file a written pledge asserting that they are practising Hindus by birth and belief.
“There are innumerable employees hiding behind Hindu names who have converted to other religions, which comes to light only during a marriage or a death in their families.”
மத அடிப்படையில் அதிகாரிகள் மாற்றமா?
இந்து சமய அறநிலையத்துறைக்கு கிறிஸ்தவ அதிகாரி..
மத உணர்வோடு அரசு உத்தரவை உதாசீனப்படுத்திய அதிகாரிக்கு மீண்டும் அதே பணியிடம்..
தமிழக அரசு நிர்வாகத்தில், அதிகாரிகள் பணிமாறுதலில் கிறிஸ்தவ பாதிரிகள் தலையிடுவது முறையா?
இது தான் மதசார்பற்ற… pic.twitter.com/llOUvAI3VN
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) October 14, 2026
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar said: “We are also part of the Dravidian movement, and our CM has been explicitly and openly saying that he adores Thanthai Periyar. He is one among the five leaders whom the party has kept as a guiding force.”
Prabhakar has openly acknowledged his religious identity by quoting Biblical verses in the Assembly, while maintaining zero tolerance for references to the Bhagavad Gita. He attended an anti-abortion rally organised by Christians and evangilical missionary association meetings where he promised to include SCs who had converted to Christianity in reservation benefits. Another minister, Vanniarasu, made a similar promise to them.
Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson brought a rosary casket while presenting the Budget. On another occasion, when questioned about his Tamil proficiency in the Assembly, he said: “Christianity has taught me one language. That is love and empathy. Half of the people cannot understand this by reading Tamil. I have read it in the Bible. I am a born Christian.”
Tamil Nadu TVK government Minister Maria Wilson’s Assembly remarks.
"Christianity has taught me one language. That is love and empathy. Half of the people can't understand this by reading Tamil. I have read it in the Bible. I am a born Christian."What a moment to be alive! This…
— 🇮🇳Aditi (@Staunch_NaMo) August 11, 2026
Viewed against this background, critics have said that the concerns expressed by Hindu Munnani, the VHP and others about Tamil Nadu being steadily Christianised remain significant. They argue that the state is once again witnessing conditions reminiscent of the 16th-century British era.
In the Thiruparankundram issue, the TVK government filed an appeal challenging the High Court’s orders. Critics have also accused the government of targeting Hindu Munnani functionaries who are fighting on the same issue. They allege that Christians are being appointed to key positions on a selective basis, overlooking other qualified persons.
They also say that Muslim community leaders should come out publicly and make it clear whether Muslims can visit temples and participate in rituals according to Hindu traditions, or whether doing so is considered anti-Islam. Taking a stand on such critical issues would help clear the doubts of sections of the Muslim community, as several people are said to be ready to leave Islam.
