Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members were arrested in Tiruchi district on Tuesday after they attempted to stage protests condemning the denial of permission to the Hindu Munnani to stage a demonstration at Thiruparankundram in Madurai demanding steps to protect the revered hill and its sanctity and against the ban orders clamped by the Madurai district administration.
The protests were held at different places in Thanjavur district by the BJP and members of pro-Hindu organisations over the same issue.
Ban order was clamped in Madurai amid undercurrents of communal tension over alleged consumption of non-vegetarian food on the hillock where a Dargah is situated. Around 70 BJP members were arrested at Tiruverumbur, Manachanallur, Thottiyam, Musiri, Thathiyengarpet, and Kattuputhur after they assembled at those places to stage a demonstration to condemn the denial of permission to the Hindu Munnani to stage a protest at Thiruparankundram, said the police sources.
In the neighbouring Thanjavur district, protests were organised by members of the BJP and pro-Hindu organisations at eight places, including Swamimalai and Pattukottai, leading to the arrest of about 180 of them, said the police sources.
Around 30 members of the BJP and pro-Hindu organisations were arrested in Ariyalur district after they attempted to stage a demonstration at four places, including Ariyalur, Sendurai, and Jayamkondam.
Published – February 04, 2025 07:00 pm IST