Residents of Thirupparankundram have intensified their protest, demanding that the deepam be lit at the Deepathoon atop the Thirupparankundram hill, after a court order permitting the ritual continues to be ignored by the authorities of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu.
As part of the protest, people living in the foothill areas have begun tying yellow flags bearing images of Murugan and the rooster symbol outside their homes and lighting lamps at their doorsteps. Women from several households were seen putting up the flags to publicly register their opposition.
Tensions escalated a day earlier when residents confronted police personnel, alleging discriminatory treatment. Protesters questioned why permission was granted for hoisting flags on the hill during the Sandhanakoodu festival associated with the nearby dargah, while Hindus were denied permission to light the lamp at the Deepathoon despite a judicial order. Following the argument, some residents were detained by the police and released later that night.
This is not the first such symbolic protest. Similar yellow flags bearing the rooster emblem were raised across Thirupparankundram about two weeks ago to press the same demand.
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A resident, speaking to the media, said the protest was solely about asserting a lawful right.
“We are asking only for our rights. A court order was given. If the authorities had allowed the lamp to be lit on the very day the order was passed, none of these problems would have arisen. We are not here to fight anyone. We are only demanding our rights, there is nothing wrong with it. From ancient times, on this very hill, our ancestors have been lighting the lamp. From our childhood, we have seen the deepam being lit near the Uchchi Pillaiyar temple. There is nothing wrong in asking for this right.”
The resident further alleged that restrictions imposed earlier had severely affected daily life in the area.
“We will definitely continue (this struggle) in a firm manner. There will be no change in this. Because if we give up our rights, there is no meaning in us living here. All these days you kept the barricade closed; why have you opened it now? Under what law have you opened it now? You who did not respect the law till now, under which law have you opened this barricade now? By imposing section 144, you kept us shut in as if we were in jail. Water did not come, the garbage lorry did not come. To send our children to school, how much we struggled. For what reason have you now opened this barricade? Tell us. You who did not respect the government, under which government law have you now opened this barricade? Now all the general public can go to the hill, is it not? For us to go and light the lamp, we do not need anyone’s permission. On our own hill, for our Murugan, we will go and light the lamp.”
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Another protester struck a defiant note, stating that the agitation would continue until the lamp was lit at the summit.
“Even if I fall from this hill, even if I die, I will not leave without lighting the lamp. Until the deepam is lit at the very top, this protest will continue. If they allow it, we will withdraw. Otherwise, we will keep protesting.”
She stressed that the movement was not directed against any community.
“We are not opposing Muslims. They are our people too. Let them light their lamps, and let us also light ours. This is not about caste or politics. We are ordinary people standing together for Murugan.”
Drawing a parallel with earlier mass movements in Tamil Nadu, another resident added, “Just as people protested for Jallikattu and won, this struggle for lighting the lamp on this hill will continue. The government and the administration is showing partiality. They must definitely give up this partiality and come forward at least a little for the sake of the Tamil people, for the sake of the Hindu people. All we are asking is permission to light a lamp. If the lamp is lit, what harm will come of it? The deepam must be lit.”
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The situation at Thirupparankundram remains tense, with residents maintaining that their protest will not be called off until the hilltop lamp is officially permitted to be lit in accordance with the court’s direction.
Source: Dinamalar
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