On 3 February 2025, the Madurai district administration imposed Section 163 of the BNSS (previously Section 144 of CrPC) across the district for two days, following tensions over a protest announced by the Hindu Munnani regarding the Thirupparankundram Hill issue. The ban, effective until the night of 4 February 2025, prohibits protests and gatherings to maintain public order, according to District Collector Sangeetha.
Madurai City Police Commissioner Loganathan issued a warning that legal action will be taken against individuals and vehicles violating the law. Addressing the ongoing tensions over the Thiruparankundram Hill dispute, he stated that conflicts between the two groups have persisted for several days, leading to the registration of multiple cases.
“Permission has been denied for the protest planned by Hindu Munnani. So far, five cases have been filed against members from both sides,” he confirmed.
In response to this, Tamil Nadu BJP MLA and Mahila Morcha President Vanathi Srinivasan has strongly condemned the imposition of Section 144 at Thiruparankundram, calling it an act of “anarchy” aimed at suppressing Murugan devotees. She questioned whether the enforcement of such restrictions indicates a failure of the rule of law in Tamil Nadu or the emergence of a dictatorial regime.
In a press release statement, she wrote, “Thiruparankundram is the first house of Lord Muruga’s Arupadaiveedu/6 abodes, which have mixed with the spirit and life of Tamils. Some forces are encroaching on the Murugan temple on the Thiruparankundram Hill and claiming and occupying the Thiruparankundram Hill on the pretext that there is a dargah here. A member of parliament from the Indian Union Muslim League party, which is in the DMK alliance, went with his supporters and encroached on Thiruparankundram Hill, Arupadaiveedu. The parties including BJP and Hindu organizations have pointed this out and the DMK government is silently watching.
Hindu organizations today announced a strike to protect Thiruparankundram Hill, the abode of Lord Muruga, and against fundamentalists who are trying to create chaos and destroy peace. However, the DMK government, which is just looking at the fundamentalists involved in anarchy to destroy peace, is engaging in all illegal activities to suppress the struggle of Hindu organizations fighting to save Lord Muruga’s Arupadaiveedu/abode. The DMK government has deployed thousands of police to suppress the sons of the soil as if they were oppressing “foreign” forces and are arresting many people who are fighting peacefully. This is highly condemnable.
DMK government and the police which is under the control of Chief Minister MK Stalin, should also give up their anarchy and allow Hindu organizations to protest peacefully as per the fundamental right granted by the Constitution. Otherwise, Muruga and Muruga devotees will punish the DMK government.”
முருக பக்தர்களை ஒடுக்க 144 தடையுத்தரவு பிறப்பிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது அராஜகத்தின் உச்சம். தமிழ்நாட்டில் சட்டத்தின் ஆட்சி நடக்கிறதா, காட்டாட்சி என்ற சந்தேகத்தை ஏற்படுத்துகிறது. pic.twitter.com/XaWNh5sYWJ
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) February 3, 2025
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