Tamil Nadu: Hindu Munnani Protests Across State, Demands TVK Govt Implement HC Orders on Thiruparankundram Deepam
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.
According to reports, protests were held in several districts, including Karur, Sivaganga, Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Thiruvallur East, Madurai, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai North, Ranipet, 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, Chengalpattu, Namakkal, Kolamangalam in Krishnagiri district, Chennimalai in Erode district, Salem, Uraiyur in Tiruchirappalli, Dharmapuri, and several other locations.
Addressing the protesters, Hindu Munnani state 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.
Earlier, the court had 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.
However, 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.
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 alleged that non-vegetarian food had been cooked during the Kanduri festival held atop the hill last year and that a flag had been hoisted on a sacred tree, the sthala vriksham, belonging to the temple.
