Even as the Dravidian Model DMK government has been preventing Hindus from lighting the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon on Thirupparankundram Hill, videos from the hilltop dargah have emerged showing Muslim devotees lighting a kuthuvilakku, a traditional Hindu-style lamp, inside the Sikandar Dargah as part of their long-standing practice.
According to locals, Muslims visiting the hilltop shrine regularly pour oil into the lamp, light it, and offer prayers, a practice that has reportedly continued for years. This has raised questions among residents and online commentators about why Hindus were barred from lighting a Deepam outside the dargah, especially for a single annual festival, when lamp lighting is already a routine activity inside the dargah premises.
Meanwhile, no reports have surfaced of Muslims attempting to block Hindu Munnani members from lighting the Deepam. There is evidence of a 2005 letter by the Muslims to the District Collector stating that they had no objection to lamps being lit at least 15 metres away from the shrine.
NOC letter from Dargaa given way back in 2005. This was produced this time also, so Muslims stayed away from this and were happy to see the Deepam being lit. pic.twitter.com/ltwp5uVmXM
— Indu Makkal Katchi (off) (@Indumakalktchi) December 4, 2025
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.