Another attempt by missionaries to claim Hindu sacred sites as their own has surfaced, with Hindu Munnani alleging that miscreants secretly planted a ‘Christian Cross’ at the Agaya Shiva Lingam and Murugan Temple hills on Sethukarai Hill in Gudiyatham, Vellore district.
This incident comes on the heels of the full moon day on 15 November 2024, which holds special significance for Hindus. On this auspicious occasion, devotees, especially locals, typically visit the temples to walk the Girivala path, offer prayers, perform rituals, and partake in celebrations, including annadanam (community meals).
However, some devotees noticed a cross had been placed at the temple sites, prompting them to alert the police, Hindu activists, and Hindu Munanni cadres. Together, they lodged a formal complaint, calling for the immediate removal of the cross, which they believe could incite communal tensions.
In response, the police and revenue department have pledged to address the situation. Hindu Munanni has announced plans for a protest around the Girivala route to condemn the planting of the cross by anti-social elements and to demand its removal. Authorities have assured the public that they will take action, including the arrest of those responsible, and that the cross will be removed from the hilltop.
#வேலூர் மாவட்டம், குடியாத்தம், #செதுக்கரை பகுதியில் உள்ள சிவன் மற்றும் #முருகர் #மலையின் மீது, சமூக விரோதிகளால் #சிலுவை நடப்பட்டிருந்ததை கண்டித்து, அதை அகற்றக்கோரி இந்துமுன்னணி சார்பில், கிரிவலம் சுற்றி வரும் போராட்டம் அறிவித்திருந்த நிலையில், காவல்துறை மற்றும் வருவாய்த்துறை pic.twitter.com/YvjXbdCvdS
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) November 16, 2024
Previously, attempts were made by Christian missionaries to rename the Hindu temple hill of Chennimalai to “Yesu Malai.” The Chennimalai Murugan Temple, located in Erode district and with a history spanning over 3,000 years, has recently been thrust into the spotlight due to a contentious proposal by the local Christian Munnani group to rename the hill “Kalvaari Malai” or “Yesu Malai.” This suggestion has sparked strong opposition from the local Hindu community, who have been venerating Lord Murugan at this sacred site for generations.
Chennimalai, also known by other names like Siragiri and Pushpagiri, is an important religious and cultural landmark, with the famous hymn “Kanda Sashti Kavacham” first being staged here by Sri Bala Devaraya Swamigal. The hill, located between Erode and Coimbatore, holds immense significance for Hindus in the region, and the renaming proposal has caused considerable distress among them.
The controversy escalated after a series of unauthorized Christian prayer meetings were held in Chennimalai, which led to tensions within the predominantly Hindu community. These meetings, which were criticized for making offensive remarks about Hindu deities, attracted attendees from outside the town. The situation turned violent on September 17, 2023, when members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed with Hindu Munnani supporters over the prayer gatherings, leading to physical altercations and police involvement.
The issue took a more serious turn when some Christian leaders openly suggested renaming Chennimalai as “Kalvari Hill.” This move was seen as an attempt to undermine the religious and cultural identity of the site. Hindu organizations, particularly the Hindu Munnani, condemned this suggestion, accusing the Christian Munnani of trying to erase the temple’s significance for political reasons. They announced plans for a large protest on to oppose the renaming and defend the sacredness of the hill.
In addition to this dispute, there have been concerns raised about the encroachment of Christian missionaries on other Hindu sites in Tamil Nadu, such as Vajragiri hill, where allegations of restricting Hindu access to temples have further fueled religious tensions in the region.
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