DMK’s Andipatti MLA, Thanga Tamil Selvan, has strongly criticized Islamist groups claiming the right to sacrifice goats and roosters at the sacred Hindu site Thiruparankundram hilltop’s Sikkandar Dargah, calling it completely wrong and not a customary practice. He stated that this new development was influenced by external groups, and that Hindus and Muslims in the local community have always lived together peacefully, respecting each other’s sentiments. He emphasized that the problem arose when these groups attempted to impose this practice, which was never part of the tradition. He also asserted that Muslims have never worshipped a burial site or anything other than Allah.
Thanga Tamil Selvan, speaking to a private media channel, said, “Muslims arrived there about 500 years ago, and this is the case in many countries throughout history—every era sees different groups rise to power. When that happened, a man named Sikkandar died and was buried there as a form of worship, like Dargahs. The majority of people who visit are Hindus, more than Muslims. It’s a belief there that worshipping at this site helps remove bad fortune and bring in good fortune, a tradition that has been followed for generations. There’s no difference between our Piranmallai Kallars and the Muslims there. Now, when people newly say, “I will go and slaughter a goat, cook biryani, and offer a blood sacrifice,” that’s when the problem arises. This is an unnecessary issue. The Muslims there and we have lived together till this day, with no division between us. However, I want to point out that groups like Hindu Munnani, RSS, and some Islamists are stirring up an unnecessary discussion, which is completely wrong. First of all, Muslims who went there and claimed they will perform blood sacrifices and slaughter goats is completely wrong, as this was never part of the custom.”
He explained that, “For Muslims, Allah is their God, and there is no practice of worshiping a burial site and what we oppose is the imposition of a new practice, that is what we oppose which is completely wrong.”
Backdrop
The sacred Hindu site of Thirupparankundram Hills is witnessing escalating tensions, with controversial actions by a Muslim politician stoking divisive rhetoric. Indian Union Muslim League member and Ramanathapuram MP, Navas Kani, who also holds the position of chairman of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, has stirred further discord by declaring that the dargah on the hilltop is Waqf property. He also shared a post on social media claiming that Muslims had consumed cooked non-vegetarian food at the foothills, which outraged Hindus and devotees. This move sent shockwaves through the region, further intensifying existing tensions.
This development is part of a series of incidents that have strained relations between Hindus and Muslims, who had previously lived in harmony. Some Islamists groups have been attempting to assert their rights to conduct animal sacrifices at the hilltop, furthering their claims that the entire Thirupparankundram Hills should be recognized as Sikkandar Hills.
The situation escalated on 27 December 2024, when Madurai police intervened to detain a group of Muslims family attempting to bring goats and roosters to the hilltop dargah for ritual sacrifice. Syed Abu Dahir, a 53-year-old from Malaiyadipatti in Rajapalayam, arrived with his family and animals for the ceremony but was stopped by authorities at the base of the hill. Police informed them that bringing livestock up the hill was prohibited, which led to a protest by over 20 local Muslims at the foot of the hill in solidarity with the family.
The following week, on 5 January 2025, another large group of Muslim protesters gathered at Thirupparankundram Hills, demanding permission to offer prayers at the mosque located at the top. When the police denied their request, tensions escalated, leading to a brief scuffle and the detention of the protesters.
On 17 January 2025, during the Santhanakoodu Festival at a nearby dargah, social media posts began circulating about an upcoming “Equality Feast” (Samabanthi Bhojan) on 18 January at the hilltop dargah, where goats and roosters were allegedly to be sacrificed. Fearing communal unrest, police set up barricades and conducted searches to prevent the transportation of livestock to the hill. When the dargah Jamath was informed that animal sacrifices were not allowed, protests broke out. Members of the Jamath, along with other Muslim protesters, clashed with the police, causing further disruptions.
The situation was exacerbated by the involvement of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), an ally of AIADMK and a group linked to the banned terror outfit PFI. These elements are believed to be behind the attempts to conduct animal sacrifices at the sacred Thirupparankundram Hill.
Furthering tensions, on 21 January 2025, DMK Manapparai MLA Abdul Samad was accused of conducting an illegal survey around the temple with intentions to gain control of the hill. On the same day, IUML member and Ramanathapuram MP Navas Kani was seen giving an interview near the Thirupparankundram Hills. When asked whether the dargah at the hilltop was under the Waqf Board, Kani confirmed, “Yes, it is under the control of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board,” further heightening tensions in the area.
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