Clashes Between Hindu Activists and Police in Tirupparankundram Temple Row.

Tirupparankundram Temple Row: Prohibitory Orders Clamped Amid Clashes Between Hindu Activists and Police.

B Upendran | HENB | Madurai | Nov 4, 2025:: Clashes broke out between Hindutva activists and police in Madurai’s Thirupparankundram on Wednesday, December 3, as the activists attempted to force their way to the summit to light the Karthigai Deepam at the ‘Deepothoon’, a pillar located next to a Sufi dargah atop the hill. The activists, led by the BJP, Hindu Munnani, Hindu Makkal Katchi, RSS, and VHP, were prevented by the police, leading to a scuffle.

Background of the Conflict

The Karthigai Deepam ceremony involves invocations to Lord Murugan around a cauldron of fire. While the HR&CE officials have been lighting the lamp at the ‘Deepa Mandapam’ near the Uchipillaiyar temple for over a century, the Hindutva groups have been demanding that the ceremony be conducted at the Deepothoon. The Hindutva groups have been demanding that the ceremony be conducted at the Deepothoon, which lies next to the 700-year-old dargah of Sufi saint Hazrath Sultan Sikandar Badshah Aulia. This Islamic shrine was built after encroaching a Hindu temple site as believed. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had ordered that six petitioners be allowed to light the Deepam at the demanded Deepothoon site.  Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madras High Court permitted the petitioners to scale the hill and conduct the ceremony on their own, accompanied by CISF personnel. However, the HR&CE department defied the court directive and lit the lamp at the conventional location near the Uchipillaiyar temple instead.

Following the unrest, Madurai District Collector K J Praveenkumar imposed a curfew in Thiruparankundram under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The prohibitory orders were promulgated to maintain public safety and tranquility.

As the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had ordered that six petitioners be allowed to light the Deepam at the Deepothoon, going to the contrary, the HR&CE department defied the court directive and lit the lamp at the conventional location avoiding the demanded traditional loaction. 

Prohibitory Orders and Police Action

Following the unrest, Madurai District Collector K J Praveenkumar imposed prohibitory orders in Thirupparankundram under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The police stopped the protesters from reaching the hilltop, and four policemen were injured in the scuffle. Around 50 protesters were detained for attempting to enforce the High Court order.

Court Intervention

Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madras High Court permitted the petitioners to scale the hill and conduct the ceremony on their own, accompanied by CISF personnel. However, the police did not allow them to proceed, citing prohibitory orders. The Tamil Nadu government approached the Madras High Court challenging Justice Swaminathan’s order, and the petition is expected to be taken up for hearing.

BJP’s Stand

The BJP has condemned the DMK government’s actions, accusing them of “anti-Hindu bias” and attempting to curtail Hindu rights. “HC CLEARS BUT COPS BLOCK. Hindus blocked by TN police from reaching Hill top to light Karthigai Deepam in Madurai. Violent clashes erupt,” said BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala.

Current Situation

The situation remains tense in Thirupparankundram, with a heavy police presence deployed to maintain law and order. The  Deepothoon atop the peak remained unlit, with the temple adminstration proceeding only with the conventional lighting at the Uchi Pillaiyar temple. However, the Tamil Nadu government approached the High Court challenging the recent court order, and the petition is expected to be taken up for hearing on Thursday.
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_Agency Inputs.