The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench on Thursday, 4 December 2025, took serious exception to the conduct of the Thirupparankundram temple’s Executive Officer and the Madurai District Collector after they failed to appear before the court during the hearing of a contempt petition related to the non-lighting of the court-mandated Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon atop Thirupparankundram Hill.

The matter was heard by Justice GR Swaminathan, who earlier had permitted the petitioner and ten others to light the Deepam under CISF protection after the temple administration failed to comply with his December 1 order.

“You were blessed by the order”

At the start of the hearing, Senior Advocate N. Jothi submitted, “We’ve suffered the court’s order.”

Justice Swaminathan replied in lighter vein: “You did not suffer with the order. You were blessed by the order.”

Court Warns of Harsher Order if Officials Fail to Appear

Expressing displeasure over the absence of the Executive Officer and District Collector, the judge said: “I’ll reassemble at 5:30 p.m. If they do not appear (through VC) by then, I’ll pass a harsher order.”

When the bench reconvened, Madurai City Police Commissioner appeared via video conference.

Court Confronts Police Commissioner

Justice Swaminathan questioned him directly:
“I’m posing a direct question to you. What do you do when there’s a court order?”

The Commissioner responded that he had the “highest regard for the court” but explained that a huge crowd, destruction of barricades, and a resulting law-and-order situation had necessitated the promulgation of a Section 144 order.

The judge then inquired about the exact time at which the Commissioner wrote to the District Collector seeking imposition of Section 144.

State Government’s Arguments

Additional Advocate General (AAG) Veera Kathiravan denied deliberate disobedience: “We never intended to disobey the court order. We know the order has come, but the LPA is permitted.”

AAG J. Ravindran urged the court to wait for the writ appeal scheduled for the next day: “At this stage, I don’t want to go into the merits. My only request is that tomorrow writ appeal is coming. Let us wait for the appeal.”

Court Recaps Events & Criticises Police Action

In delivering the order, Justice Swaminathan recalled that his direction from the previous day had allowed the petitioner and CISF to go ahead with the lighting of the Deepam. However:

The Commissioner restrained the petitioners and CISF from proceeding.

He informed them that due to Section 144, he was “not in a position to respect the order of court.”

CISF personnel then returned, and the petitioners were prevented from lighting the Deepam despite explicit permission.

Division Bench Appeal Dismissed

The court recorded that the State’s appeal to the Division Bench had been dismissed earlier in the day through a detailed order, meaning the single judge’s directions continued to remain operative.

Court Quashes Section 144 Order

Justice Swaminathan observed that the Commissioner appeared to believe he ranked above the High Court, remarking: “The Commissioner may think he is superior in ranking than HC judge.”

He added that the Commissioner attempted to justify his actions by citing the District Magistrate’s Section 144 order.

The judge reiterated that “constitutional court’s order can be set aside only in manner known to law. As long as it’s standing, it has to be obeyed by all officers.”

Finding that the Section 144 order had been invoked only to obstruct implementation of the High Court’s directions, the judge quashed it.

Court Directs Police to Ensure Lamp Is Lit Today

Justice Swaminathan concluded by directing the Madurai City Police Commissioner to:

• Provide police protection,
• Allow devotees to light the Deepam at the Deepathoon today,
• And warned that strict action would follow if the order was not complied with.

The hearing was then brought to a close.

Source: LiveLaw

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The post Madras High Court Madurai Bench Pulls Up Officials Over Non-Compliance in Thirupparankundram Deepam Case, Quashes Section 144 Order; Directs Police To Ensure Lamp Is Lit At Deepathoon appeared first on The Commune.

With only eight days left for the enumeration phase of Tamil Nadu’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to conclude, as many as 84.91 lakh voter forms have been classified as “uncollectable”, raising concerns that these names may be removed from the draft electoral rolls scheduled for publication on 16 December 2025.

According to data accessed on Wednesday morning, the uncollectable category currently accounts for 13.24% of the State’s 6.41 crore electorate.

Breakdown of the 84.91 Lakh Uncollectable Forms

• Permanently Shifted: 44.22 lakh
• Deceased: 26.18 lakh (as per TNIE report)
• Absent: 10.73 lakh
• Already Enrolled (Duplicate): 3.5 lakh

These figures remain provisional and are subject to revision.

CEO Clarifies Process Still Ongoing

In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office stressed that the SIR exercise is still underway and that the list of uncollectable entries is being shared with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties for scrutiny before preparing the draft rolls. The final classification of uncollectable forms will be completed only after December 11, the last day of the enumeration phase.

Officials reiterated that deletions would be finalised only after due verification and that any eligible voter omitted from the draft roll may file claims or objections from December 16 to mid-January 2026.

Wide Variation Across Districts

SIR data revealed significant district-level variations:

• Ariyalur recorded the lowest uncollectable share: 4.3% (23,000 of 5.31 lakh voters)
• Chennai recorded the highest: 31.78% (12.73 lakh of 40.05 lakh voters) — nearly one in three electors
• Chengalpattu followed with 20.7% uncollectable forms (5.78 lakh)

Officials attributed Chennai’s high “Permanently Shifted” numbers to rapid urbanisation and residential mobility.

Digitisation Figures: Clarifying Confusion

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had earlier stated that Tamil Nadu achieved:

• 99.45% distribution of SIR forms (6.38 crore)
• 94.32% digitisation of forms (6.05 crore)

However, a detailed internal report accessed Wednesday showed that actual digitisation of returned forms stands at 82.57% (5.29 crore), excluding uncollectable forms. When uncollectable forms are included in the EC’s category of “digitised”, the percentage becomes 95.81%.

Officials confirmed that the 82.57% figure represents voters whose forms were returned and digitised, meaning their names are expected to appear on the draft rolls unless removed during AERO/ERO verification — a scenario described as “highly unlikely.”

Statewide Picture: 59 Lakh Names Set for Deletion, 24 Lakh Deceased Identified

Parallel ECI data as of 29 November 2025 (10 p.m.) showed that:

• 58.91 lakh voters did not return their enumeration forms (9.19% of total electorate)
• 23.83 lakh among them were identified as deceased

Overall, around 59 lakh names may be deleted for reasons including death, untraceability, duplicate entry, and permanent shifting.

At a recent press briefing, Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik confirmed that deletions would be carried out under five categories:

1. Death
2. Untraceable
3. Permanently Shifted
4. Duplicate Entry
5. Other Reasons

Constituency-Level Impact: Chennai Worst Hit

Chennai’s 16 constituencies could see 5.72 lakh voters removed from the rolls:

• 1.29 lakh deceased
• 4.12 lakh permanently shifted
• 10,614 duplicate entries
• Other major districts with high unreturned forms:
• Chengalpattu: 4.39 lakh
• Tiruvallur: 3.36 lakh

Highest Impact Constituencies

Pallavaram (Chengalpattu): 1.43 lakh of 4.44 lakh voters failed to submit forms

Chepauk–Tiruvallikeni (DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s constituency): 72,950 unsubmitted forms

SIR Drive: 68,470 BLOs on the Ground

The Special Intensive Revision began on November 4 with a workforce of 68,470 Booth Level Officers conducting door-to-door enumeration. The draft electoral roll will be released on December 16, after which citizens may raise objections or seek restoration until 15 January 2026.

Officials emphasised that the current numbers would continue to change until the enumeration deadline, and the final voter count will only be known once the draft roll is published.

(Source: DTNext & The New Indian Express)

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The post TN Govt Doctor Labels Hindu Devotees Protesting For Thirupparankundram Deepam Lighting As ‘Sanghi Terrorists’ appeared first on The Commune.

A post by alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair on Wednesday, 4 December 2025, generated controversy after he highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “lost 4 million followers” on X, without initially noting that the platform is conducting a large-scale purge of inactive and bot accounts affecting users globally.

Zubair wrote that Modi “lost 4 million (bots) followers,” and seemed to ignore that this was also the same for other public figures.

According to figures cited in his own thread, several international personalities also saw significant drops:

• Barack Obama: 11 million
• Justin Bieber: 18 million
• Katy Perry: 19 million
• Virat Kohli: 2 million
• Arvind Kejriwal: 1.1 million

X has confirmed that the platform is removing “inactive old accounts” as part of a system-wide clean-up.

Almost everyone had follower drop in last few days.

Kejriwal lost at least 1.1 Million
Kohli- 2 Million
Obama- 11 Million
Justin Bieber- 18 Million
Katy Perry- 19 Million

X is removing inactive old accounts. https://t.co/vBcyPoOLG9 pic.twitter.com/jZCHFuETbH

— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) December 4, 2025

Post Selectively Framed?

Several social media users accused Zubair of presenting the information in a way that singled out Modi before acknowledging similar drops across the board.

Communications researchers noted that the sequencing of the post, leading with Modi’s follower drop and describing them as “bots”, could mislead readers into assuming that the loss was unique to the Prime Minister or indicative of inflated follower metrics, despite the identical phenomenon occurring globally.

Analysts pointed out that other leaders, celebrities and athletes experienced even larger reductions, illustrating that the purge was platform-wide, not targeted.

X’s Global Purge of Dormant Accounts

The follower drops follow X’s ongoing policy of removing inactive, duplicate and spam-linked accounts to improve platform integrity. The company has carried out similar purges several times over the years, with high-profile accounts often losing millions of followers overnight.

Digital media observers say such clean-ups have no bearing on the popularity or engagement of users and affect accounts uniformly.

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Even as tensions rose at Thirupparankundram over the non-lighting of the court-mandated Deepathoon lamp, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair triggered fresh controversy by posting what critics say was a misleading “fact-check.” Zubair cited footage of the traditional Uchchipillaiyar lamp to claim the ritual had taken place, despite the High Court’s order applying specifically to the Deepathoon where the Deepam remained unlit.

India Today journo Akshita Nandagopal shared a video of the protests that took place following the non-compliance.

Protests break out at the Tiruparankundram hill temple in Madurai as the Deepam that was to be lit in the Deepathoon didn’t happen DESPITE the Madras HC order pic.twitter.com/jBiPtSwLzX

— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) December 3, 2025

Zubair Shares Broadcast Screenshot, Misleads Public

Amid reports of non-compliance and subsequent protests, Mohammed Zubair shared a screenshot of a Tamil news channel’s post showing the lamp lit at the Uchchipillaiyar Temple in response to India Today journo’s video of the protests. He implied that claims of non-lighting were “fake news” and that the ritual had indeed taken place.

However, critics pointed out that the screenshot Zubair shared depicted the traditional lamp, not the one mandated by the High Court at the Deepathoon. By omitting this distinction, his post suggested that protesters and commentators falsely claimed the ritual was not performed, when in reality they were referring to the court-directed second Deepam at a different location.

Multiple netizens called out his lie that created the impression that Hindu devotees had instigated chaos despite the lamp being lit when the specific Deepathoon lamp remained unlit in violation of the court order.

Pathetic liar. And for this you collect funds? https://t.co/u49zEGbryP

— ss (@ss301125) December 3, 2025

Look at this clown. He claims himself as fact checker and asks funds for it https://t.co/BjAkR3o2KB

— Parthiban (@parthispeaks) December 4, 2025

When you want to please your masters, even Marina beach gets shifted to Mumbai! https://t.co/kFZYqvA4GN

— Vignesh (@cviignesh) December 4, 2025

 Court’s Order vs. Social Media Narrative

The Madras High Court had instructed temple authorities to ensure that the Deepam was lit at the Deepathoon and even stated that if authorities failed to comply, the petitioner and ten others could light the lamp under CISF protection. As the directive was not carried out, devotees demanded enforcement, leading to clashes and the imposition of Section 144 in the area.

Zubair’s post obscured this context and reinforced a narrative suggesting that the protesters acted without basis.

Following Zubair’s post, several legal commentators, journalists and devotees accused him of misleading the public by conflating two separate ritual sites and misrepresenting the core issue that triggered the unrest.

They noted that the High Court’s direction was unambiguous:

• Lamp at the usual site (Uchchipillaiyar) → Already a tradition
• Lamp at the Deepathoon → Court-ordered and not performed

By circulating an image of the former, Zubair implied compliance where there was none.

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The post Alleged Fact-Checker & Islamist Mohammed Zubair Misleads Public On Thirupparankundram Deepam Row appeared first on The Commune.

The Dravidianist ecosystem, which includes the Congress supporters, members and supporters of the DMK, has been trolling and abusing Hindus for wanting to exercise their right to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon in Thirupparankundram Hill.

This opposition comes despite having a valid court order, despite having a no objection from the Muslim community – it seems as if only the Dravidianist ecosystem is hell bent on stopping Hindus from carrying out their centuries old rituals.

In this backdrop, a Tamil Nadu Congress leader Dhivya Marunthiah who is also the State Vice-President, OBC of the party, shared a video of Islamist terrorist Ahmed Ali, widely known as Palani Baba, in response to a post by Vedic scholar Dushyanth Sridhar, who had appeared on a News18 debate panel discussing the Karthigai Deepam dispute at Thirupparankundram Hill.

Dushyanth Sridhar’s Remarks on the Deepam Dispute

During the News18 panel, Sridhar criticised the state’s handling of the ongoing Karthigai Deepam controversy, calling the situation one of “injustice.” He highlighted five key points:

Thirupparankundram’s Antiquity: Sridhar described the hill temple as one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest cave temples, revered as a Shiva shrine in the 6th century and later celebrated as a major Murugan sthala in Tamil hymns, including Thiruppugazh.

Historical Architecture: He noted that the temple’s structure is carved into the granite hill, featuring architectural contributions from the Pandyas, Cholas and Nayaks, indicating continuous Hindu patronage.

Madurai Sultanate Period: Sridhar referred to the 14th-century Madurai Sultanate, calling its rulers tyrannical, and questioned how an Islamic structure associated with the last Sultan emerged atop the temple centuries later.

Festival Rights and HC Orders: He explained that the Thirukkarthigai festival historically involves lighting a lamp at the hill’s Deepathoon. After devotees sought relief from the Madras High Court, the court ruled that Hindus had the right to light the lamp. He criticised the HR&CE Department for citing “law and order concerns” to prevent implementation.

Police Blockade: Sridhar said devotees were stopped despite a High Court mandate, arguing that Hindus were unable to assert their traditional rights even after legal affirmation.

INJUSTICE is the word. Context below: (with @CNNnews18)

(1) Thiruparamkudram is an ancient cave temple in Madurai (TN). It has been revered as a Siva temple in the 6th century by Tamizh saints. The same temple houses Skanda/Kartikeya revered as Muruga which has been sung in all… pic.twitter.com/klZy4NfTBi

— Dushyanth Sridhar (@dushyanthsridar) December 3, 2025

Marunthiah reposted Sridhar’s detailed commentary on the historical and religious significance of the Thirupparankundram temple complex, quoting it along with a video in which Palani Baba is seen issuing threats to BJP and Hindu Munnani supporters. The resurfaced clip shows Ali saying: “Today you say you are BJP, Hindu Munnani… I am giving you a final warning. Stay at home and cultivate humanity with love and affection. If you become the agent of a north Indian dog,”

Very conveniently, she did not share the last few seconds of that clip. In that portion, he says, “I tell you once again, I will become an extremist.”

Here is the full clipping.

Palani Baba, who has long been associated with extremist activities in Tamil Nadu, has previously faced allegations relating to radical Islamist mobilisation and has been cited in multiple police dossiers.

Who Is Palani Baba?

Palani Baba, whose real name was Ahmed Ali, was a notorious figure in Tamil Nadu’s history of Islamic terrorism. Born in Pudhu Ayakkudi, a village near Palani in Dindigul district, Ahmed Ali was raised by his maternal uncle after the death of his parents. He became involved in nefarious activities during his college years, causing embarrassment to his family. Ali went on to establish the All India Jihad Committee (AIJC) in 1986, an Islamist fundamentalist organization, and was known for his connections to groups like the All India Milli Council, which was reportedly linked to Saudi-Wahhabi ideologies.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Tamil Nadu witnessed the rise of Islamic fundamentalist groups, and Ahmed Ali capitalized on this wave. During MGR’s rule, he became known for his controversial activities, which drew the attention of the DMK under Karunanidhi. The DMK reportedly supported him to oppose MGR, even though Ali’s rhetoric and actions were divisive, including his claims of ties with the LTTE. By 1990, Ali had garnered significant support from the DMK. It is to be noted that Ahmed Ali addressed MGR in singular in whichever public meeting he spoke. Dressed like Yasar Arafat, Ahmed Ali made vitriolic speeches against Hindus and was instrumental in fomenting violence against the Hindus especially in the Coimbatore region.

Ahmed Ali was involved in various killings of Hindus in Coimbatore. In 1990, Israeli intelligence arrested a Palestinian student who was studying in south India. During interrogation it was revealed that there was a possible presence of internationally linked Islamic terror cells in Coimbatore. However, the Israeli warnings were rejected by local police and intelligence. Ali’s involvement in violent acts against Hindus escalated during the early 1990s, and his influence grew further with the formation of Al Ummah, a jihadist group connected to organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Pakistan’s ISI. The group was implicated in several bombings, most notably the 1998 Coimbatore bombings, which targeted prominent political figures, including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Despite his ties to DMK and other political entities like the PMK, Ali’s violent actions eventually led to a fallout with his former supporters. He was assassinated on 28 January 1997, outside his home by a group of six people, allegedly in retaliation for his anti-Hindu rhetoric and the killing of two Hindu activists earlier that year. Though his death was surrounded by controversy, including some unsubstantiated claims about personal disputes, his legacy remains one of spreading Islamic extremism in Tamil Nadu during a turbulent time.

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The post “I’m Giving You A Final Warning, Stay Inside Your House Or Else I’ll Turn Into An Extremist”: Congress Leader Shares Islamist Ahmed Ali (Palani Baba)’s Clip To Threaten Vedic Scholar Dushyanth Sridhar appeared first on The Commune.

Tensions escalated ahead of the Karthigai Deepam festival after members of the BJP’s youth wing alleged that DMK workers had printed and distributed fake VIP passes bearing government seals to gain unauthorised access to restricted zones. The incident occurred as lakhs of devotees converged on the temple town to witness the annual lighting of the Maha Deepam atop Annamalai Hill.

The counterfeit passes were allegedly created for DMK booth agents and party workers. BJP members stated that they intercepted individuals involved in printing and distributing the fake IDs and handed them over to authorities.

Video shared by BJP State Youth Wing President SG Suryah shows several passes purportedly marked with the temple administration and Superintendent of Police office names. In the footage, individuals are questioned about their involvement in printing the IDs, with one admitting to working on ID card preparation inside a temple-administration–linked office.

BJP members alleged that the exposed operation demonstrated misuse of administrative access. “These are passes meant to be used in the office. They were being printed and handed out neatly,” a party worker is heard saying in one of the videos. They also alleged that a temple administration staff member was assisting the printing, claiming that he had been called in by the Joint Commissioner of the HR&CE Department.

Police Action and Political Allegations

Tiruvannamalai police have arrested three individuals in connection with the fake-pass incident. BJP functionaries, however, described the police response as inadequate and alleged that officials were hesitant to pursue action against ruling-party members.

They also questioned why the Joint Commissioner of the HR&CE Department had not met them despite repeated petitions. “Why is the JC refusing to meet us? Whom are they trying to protect?” a BJP youth wing representative asked.

Temple authorities and the HR&CE Department have not yet issued an official clarification on the incident or the role of any staff members named by BJP representatives. Police are continuing their inquiry into the origin of the counterfeit passes and the individuals involved.

ஆன்மீக பூமியான திருவண்ணாமலையில், கார்த்திகை தீபத்தைக் காண லட்சக்கணக்கான பக்தர்கள் தவம் கிடக்கையில், திமுகவினர் செய்துள்ள செயல் அதிர்ச்சியை அளிக்கிறது. அரசு முத்திரையுடன் கூடிய ‘Fake VIP PASS’களை அச்சடித்து, அவற்றை தங்கள் கட்சி பூத் ஏஜெண்டுகளுக்கும் (BLA), கட்சிகாரர்களுக்கும்… pic.twitter.com/pVvqLWgN4P

— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) December 2, 2025

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Pakistan faced sharp criticism and diplomatic embarrassment on Monday after images emerged showing that part of its relief consignment sent to flood-ravaged Sri Lanka contained expired food and medical items. The incident drew widespread condemnation online and prompted Sri Lankan officials to flag the issue through both informal and official diplomatic channels, sources said.

Pakistan’s official social-media post declaring that it “stands with Sri Lanka today and always” backfired after users pointed out that the aid packets visibly displayed an expiry date of October 2024 (10/2024). Videos and photographs circulating online showed multiple boxes of expired rations arriving in Colombo as part of Islamabad’s assistance to the disaster-hit nation.

Pakistan has sent expired relief supplies to Sri Lanka.

This isn’t the first time either- Islamabad has a track record of forwarding old aid it earlier received from other countries or dispatching outdated consignments while labeling them as humanitarian assistance. pic.twitter.com/fqZGAYHMvT

— OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) December 2, 2025

According to Sri Lankan relief authorities, the expired goods were detected upon inspection of the consignment, rendering those items unusable at a time when the country is grappling with one of its most severe natural disasters in decades.

This is not the first time Pakistan has faced controversy over relief handling. In 2021, when India routed humanitarian supplies to Afghanistan through Pakistan following the Taliban takeover, consignments reached in a contaminated and damaged condition, according to earlier reports.

Sri Lanka’s Crisis Deepens

Sri Lanka continues to battle catastrophic flooding and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which has so far claimed at least 334 lives. Floodwaters remain dangerously high across Colombo, while landslide alerts are active in multiple districts. Thousands of people have been stranded, with visuals showing survivors clinging to rooftops awaiting evacuation.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared a state of emergency, describing the situation as “the most challenging natural disaster in our history,” and has appealed for urgent global assistance.

India’s Large-Scale Relief Operation

India has launched a major humanitarian effort under Operation Sagar Bandhu, sending 53 tonnes of relief material to Sri Lanka. Two Indian Navy ships delivered 9.5 tonnes of emergency rations in Colombo. Additionally:

Three Indian Air Force aircraft have airlifted 31.5 tonnes of supplies, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat meals, medicines and surgical instruments.

Two BHISHM medical cubes and a five-member technical team have been sent for on-site training.

80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), including specialised Urban Search and Rescue teams, have been deployed.

Another 12 tonnes of relief material has arrived at Trincomalee on INS Sukanya.

Regional Toll Surpasses 1,200

The disaster across South and Southeast Asia has taken a broader humanitarian turn. Catastrophic flooding and landslides in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand have resulted in over 1,200 deaths, with more than 800 people missing. Indonesia remains the worst affected, with rescue teams struggling to reach isolated villages after roads and bridges were washed away.

In Sri Lanka’s Kandy region, water supply disruptions have forced residents to rely on bottled water collected from natural springs as more rainfall is forecast.

(Source: NDTV)

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Twelve visitors were left stranded about 30 feet above ground on Tuesday after a roller coaster at the newly inaugurated Wonderla amusement park in Thiruporur malfunctioned following a power disruption. Rescue personnel at the park manually climbed the structure and safely brought the riders down, officials said. Videos recorded by onlookers quickly went viral on social media.

The park, located 56 km south of Chennai, was inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin on 1 December 2025. Spread across 63 acres, Wonderla’s Chennai facility features 43 attractions, including what it describes as India’s first B&M inverted roller coaster.

Following the incident, Wonderla chairman and managing director Arun Chittilappilly released a video apologising for the inconvenience caused to visitors. He said the technical issue had been resolved and that all rides, including the roller coaster, had resumed operation.

Wonderla’s Expansion into Tamil Nadu

Wonderla, one of India’s leading amusement-park operators with existing parks in Kochi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, has entered Tamil Nadu with its newest project on Old Mahabalipuram Road near Illalur in Chengalpattu district. Built over approximately 65 acres, the project is estimated to have cost around ₹510 crore.

The Chennai park includes a major highlight: a roller coaster designed by internationally renowned manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Park officials say it is now India’s largest roller coaster and comparable to installations in global cities such as London and New York.

Attractions and Features

The Chennai Wonderla park is expected to house a total of 42 rides, including 16 water-based attractions. A dedicated children’s zone will feature 10 additional rides, taking the total number of rides on the premises to 52. Notable attractions include Mission Interstellar, Roller Coaster, Y-Stream, Wonderla Bump, and Pirate Ship.

After months of speculation, the company confirmed that the Chennai Wonderla Theme Park would open to the public on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Ticket pricing details are expected to be announced shortly.

The Chengalpattu district administration has stated that all construction and safety-related work for the park has been completed.

(Source: Times of India)

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Madurai district police have registered a case against 15 individuals, including members of the Hindu Munnani and BJP functionaries, following clashes on Thirupparankundram hill over the lighting of the Karthigai Maha Deepam. The incident unfolded amid a series of rapid legal, administrative and on-ground developments triggered by a Madras High Court order permitting hilltop lighting under CISF protection.

Court Order Sparks Protests

The issue began after a single judge of the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench, Justice GR Swaminathan, granted permission to light the ceremonial lamp on a specific lamppost at the hilltop near the Sikandar Dargah, apart from the long-standing practice of lighting the Deepam at the Uchipillayar Temple.

Although the temple administration initially prepared arrangements at the hilltop, these were cancelled yesterday morning. The reversal sparked protests from several groups including the Indu Makkal Katchi, Akhil Bharat Hanuman Sena and the South India Forward Bloc.

As the 6 PM deadline set by the court approached, the lamp was lit only at the traditional Uchipillayar Temple site. In response, Justice Swaminathan issued an extraordinary directive allowing the petitioner and ten others to proceed with CISF escort to the designated lamppost at the hilltop to light the Deepam.

Tension Escalates, Section 144 Imposed

Following the order, several Hindu organisations and BJP members assembled, demanding enforcement of the hilltop lighting directive. When protesters attempted to break through police barricades to climb the hill, clashes erupted. Two policemen sustained injuries, prompting a rapid escalation of security measures.

Hindu outfits attempted to barge past the police barricades to go atop of the Thirupparankundram hill. A police personnel got injured during the tussle. @NewIndianXpress @xpresstn pic.twitter.com/72I980z9Mq

— Selwin Thanaraj M (@MSThanaraj) December 3, 2025

Protests break out at the Tiruparankundram hill temple in Madurai as the Deepam that was to be lit in the Deepathoon didn’t happen DESPITE the Madras HC order pic.twitter.com/jBiPtSwLzX

— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) December 3, 2025

District Collector Praveen Kumar subsequently imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC across the area. A number of protesters who violated the ban were detained. Before dispersing, some demonstrators lit a fire along the hill path and performed worship rituals on the ground.

FIR Against 15 Individuals

Thirupparankundram police later registered a case against 15 people, including BJP state youth wing secretary SG Suryah. The charges include trespassing, disturbing public peace, and damaging public property; seven IPC sections in total.

Parallel Legal Battles in High Court

Meanwhile, the legal contest intensified at the Madurai Bench of the High Court.

The Additional Chief Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal before the Administrative Judge seeking to quash Justice Swaminathan’s order. The appeal has been admitted and is listed as the first case this morning.

Separately, a petition has been filed on behalf of District Collector Praveen Kumar seeking a stay on the contempt petition filed by original petitioner Rama Ravikumar, while also challenging the single-judge order.

Both matters will be heard today by a division bench comprising Justices Jayachandran and Ramakrishnan.

With Section 144 in force, public and devotees remain barred from accessing the hill, though the temple continues normal darshan and shops in the locality remain open. Police security in and around Thirupparankundram has been significantly increased as legal proceedings continue and tensions on the ground remain high.

(Source: News9)

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The post Thirupparankundram Hill Karthigai Deepam Row: Case Filed Against 15 People Including BJP Leader SG Suryah And Hindu Munnani Members After Clashes; Section 144 In Force appeared first on The Commune.