People belonging to Hindu and Muslim communities in Tirupparankundram have been living harmoniously upholding secular fabric, but outsiders belonging to both the communities were trying to disrupt public peace, said Madurai Collector, M.S. Sangeetha.
In her report about the communal tension over Tirupparankundram hillock, the Collector said all measures were being taken to prevent any such effort to disrupt public tranquility and to maintain religious harmony.
She recalled that Sikkander Badhusha Avuliya Dargah had put up a digital banner near Subramaniyaswamy temple on December 4, 2024, announcing that all facilities were made available at the dargha for performing kandoori (sacrifice of goat). However, based on the a police complaint lodged by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, the controversial words in the banner were removed.
Subsequently, five persons who tried to carry a goat for sacrifice atop the hillock on December 25, 2024, were prevented by the police following which they staged a demonstration.
After they petitioned to the Collector seeking permission for performing kandhori, Tirumangalam Revenue Divisional Officer conducted a peace meeting. It was decided at the meeting that the worshipping practices which had been followed in the past should continue.
Since, both the HR and CE Department and dargah committee failed to show any document on animal sacrifice, the dargah committee was asked to seek judicial intervention on the issue to prevent any law and order problem. The dargah committee members refused to sign the minutes in protest.
Later, the dargah committee members tried to carry a goat to the hilltop for sacrifice on January 18 during the Santhakoodu festival despite the district administration having denied them permission for the same.
They were prevented and a case was registered against them.
On the same day, some 200 persons, belonging to led Hindu Munnani, led by its State president, Kadeswara Subramanian, along with RSS and BJP cadres held a meeting in a marriage hall in Tirupparankundram and, without police permission, went to the temple. A case was registered in this regard.
The report said 11 persons from Tirupparankundram on January 27 had given a petition to the Collector stating that people belonging to all religions were living united and wanted to prevent interference of outsiders into the worshipping practices followed in their area.
Consequently, the RDO, Tirumangalam, conducted a peace meeting on January 30 in which representatives of political parties including the DMK, AIADMK, CPI (M), Congress, MDMK, CPI, TMC, MNM, MNMK, IML and VCK participated.
The meeting decided that people belonging to both communities would continue to follow the existing worshipping practices, including individuals performing kandoori and they would not allow outsiders to create confusion on this issue.
“Except for AIADMK representative, all others signed the minutes.
Against this backdrop, Hindu Munnani activists sought police permission for a protest on “Save the hillock and divinity of Tirupparankundam”. Despite the rejection of permission, lot of messages on the issue were posted in the social media.
They tried to mobilise their cadres and other supporting organisations from southern districts for a protest near the 16-Pillar mandapam on Tuesday.
A prohibitory order for two days since Monday was issued by the Collector to prevent entry of outsiders in order to maintain religious harmony and public peace and to prevent any abnormal situation.
However, after the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court allowed them to conduct a demonstration between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, some 3000 persons took part in a protest at Palanganatham, she said.
Ends
Published – February 06, 2025 08:08 am IST