Tensions escalated in the Thiruparankundram area due to disputes over religious practices on the hill, which houses both the Subramaniya Swamy Temple and the Sikandar Badushah Dargah. The conflict began when police intervened to prevent members of Islamic groups from performing animal sacrifices at the dargah, citing prohibitions against such activities on the hill. Hindu Munnani's protest call has led to prohibitory orders.
Published Feb 04, 2025 | 12:46 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 04, 2025 | 12:46 PM
Restrictions imposed in Madurai.
Synopsis: The district collector issued prohibitory orders in Madurai over the looming threat of communal tensions in the district. The order follows a protest by Hindu organisations against planned animal sacrifices at an Islamic dargah in the Thiruparankundram area. Muslim organisations asserted their rights after the police denied them permission to conduct the sacrifices.
District Collector MS Sangeetha issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (previously Section 144 of CrPC) across the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu following Hindu Munnani’s protest announcement over the Thiruparankundram Temple issue.
Sangeetha had initially imposed the restrictions from 6 am on Moday, 3 February to 12 am on 5 February, banning protests and gatherings across Madurai city and district.
The action follows the Hindu Munnani’s planned protest near Thirupparankundram temple over an animal sacrifice in a nearby Islamic dargah, which was denied permission due to potential communal tensions.
Meanwhile, the Lawyers’ Wing of the BJP extended its support to the protest and set up a helpline to assist Hindu Munnani cadres in avoiding arrest.
According to sources, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court is set to hear a petition seeking permission for Hindu Munnani’s protest on Tuesday. The court may grant permission for a one-hour protest inside Madurai in a peaceful manner.
Tensions escalated in the Thiruparankundram area, due to disputes over religious practices on the hill, which houses both the Subramaniya Swamy Temple and the Sikandar Badushah Dargah.
The conflict began when police intervened to prevent members of Islamic groups from performing animal sacrifices at the dargah, citing prohibitions against such activities on the hill.
This action led to protests from Islamic organisations, who asserted their traditional rights to conduct these rituals.
In response, Hindu organisations, including the Hindu Munnani, announced protests opposing animal sacrifices, emphasising the hill’s sanctity in Hindu tradition.
To maintain law and order, the Madurai district administration prohibited public gatherings in the area. The situation remains sensitive, with both communities expressing strong sentiments over the issue.
Meanwhile, major roads in Madurai came to a standstill due to the restrictions.
Additional security measures were also implemented to prevent individuals from other districts from entering Madurai.
Given the possibility of Hindu organisation members from Tiruppur district attempting to join the protest, temporary checkpoints were set up at 18 locations across Tiruppur from Monday evening. Police are actively monitoring, and collecting details from travellers in cars, vans, and buses leaving Tiruppur city, and verifying their documents. Those suspected of heading to the protest are being sent back.
Hindu Munnani’s state president Kadeswara Subramaniam and his supporters were reportedly planning to travel to Tirupparankundram. As a precaution, heavy police deployment was arranged near his office in Perichipalayam since Tuesday morning. Over 200 police officers, led by Deputy Commissioner Rajarajam, were stationed in the area.
While attempting to leave his office with supporters carrying spears (vel), Kadeswara Subramaniam was arrested by the police. In protest of his arrest, Hindu Munnani members staged a road blockade on Dharapuram Road.
During the protest, one of the Hindu Munnani supporters attempted self-immolation by pouring petrol on himself. Police quickly intervened, dousing him with water and taking him away. Following this, over 300 protesters were detained and taken to a private hall.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose and K Nitika Shivani.)
