‘Thiruparankundram Hill Belongs To Us, We Have The Right To It’, Say Residents & Blame Islamists For Religious Tensions
After the Hindu Munnani announced plans to protest over the Thiruparankundram Hill issue, Section 144 prohibitory orders were enforced in Madurai starting 3 January 2025. The region has experienced rising religious tensions, fueled by claims from Muslim fundamentalist groups asserting their right to sacrifice animals on the hilltop. Additionally, Ramanathapuram IUML MP Navaskani has claimed that the dargah belongs to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board. Some extremists even went as far as painting the Jain cave on the hill with green paint to assert their control, which many see as an attempt to undermine the sanctity and uniqueness of the site.
With the Madurai Collector imposing Section 144 prohibitory orders on the eve of the Hindu Munnani protest, denying permission for the demonstration while allowing Muslim factions and fundamentalist parties like the SDPI and IUML to continue their actions, tensions remained high as the Hindu Munnani was not granted permission to protest till the last minute. The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court granted conditional permission for the protests and a huge number of people gathered at the prescribed location demanding answers and protesting against the DMK government.
What Residents Say?
One of the residents, Ravi, said that the area had been peaceful with religious harmony until factions like the SDPI intervened and created unrest in the locality. “People come from all over India, and some even travel from Kasi to worship at Thiruparankundram the first abode of Lord Muruga. It is the first abode among the six sacred abodes, and people visit daily. Another unique aspect of Thiruparankundram is that the Murugan here is associated with marriage, so there is a large crowd during Muhurthams (auspicious days). For more than 50 generations, the Kasi Vishwanathar temple has been located atop the Thiruparankundram hills.”
Ravi continued, “Hindus and Muslims living here have always maintained unity. For example, during Ramadan, the Muslim shares biryani, and during festivals like Diwali, Pongal, and Tamil New Year, we share ours with them. However, certain factions like SDPI have caused problems. The local Muslim community has not caused any trouble; they live in harmony with us.”
He added, “We believe the problems are being caused by outsiders who may have been influenced by these factions. This is Kandha Hills, and Thiruparankundram is the first abode of the six sacred abodes. We see the High Court’s intervention as a victory for our community.'”
Another resident said, “I want to make it clear that there is no discrimination in this locality. Everyone lives in cooperation with one another. However, due to some political interference, this situation has turned bad. There is no need for politics here; unity is what brings us prosperity.” He emphasized that no locals were involved in the unrest, but rather some fundamentalist groups. He also advised the local Muslim community not to follow these extremists, as doing so would be a victory for them. Additionally, he pointed out that the town’s main source of revenue comes from the Murugan temple, which sustains local businesses and shops.
Another resident Murugesan said, “There has never been an issue between Hindus and Muslims in this town. Everyone is equal, and we give each other respect. In the Santhana Koodu event, it is customary for Muslims to show respect to Hindus. However, in recent days, the unity among them has deteriorated. There are five factions of Muslims at the dargah in the hills, which belongs to them. The Union Jamath interferes whenever a problem arises between these factions, and their involvement disrupts the harmonious relationship in the locality. We don’t know what their motives are, but they claim that by raising this issue, they want to encroach on the hills. I want to ask one thing: For Hindus, the Murugan temple is the first abode among the six sacred places. So, who is older—the Hindu deity Murugan or Sikkandar Badusah, who died and was buried 200 years ago? Which history is more ancient? If you consider it truthfully, it belongs to the Hindus. We cannot deny that he has been dead and buried, and even if we consider it to be 300 years, ours is more than 2,000 years old—this is our sacred place.” He added, “The Hindu-Muslim community, including those associated with the dargah, living with unity until today. However, the issue arose due to the interveners. The government should make a fair decision to reclaim what rightfully belongs to us. We have never asked for anything that belongs to them, nor have we demanded the vacating of the dargah. Let them continue as they are; we don’t mind. But the hills are ours, and we are not ready to give them up.”
Another resident, Muthraja, revealed that there are no proper records for the dargah, not even for basic amenities like obtaining electricity from the local municipality. In contrast, only the Murugan temple has all the necessary records from 1930.
Another elderly woman resident, named Panjavarnam, said, “The Murugan temple belongs to us, and no one has any right over it. It has been ours for generations, and no one can claim ownership of it. They came here recently and are claiming it as theirs, but that’s not the case. They visit the hills once a year, but we, the seven clans, have been worshiping Murugan there, they are giving due respect to us, and they come here and claim it as theirs without any rights. It’s foolish for them to protest. The hills belong to us. I was born and raised in this town and have lived here for 75 years, even getting married here. We have no relationship with them, but we used to live together. The temple belongs to the seven clan guardians, from Pasumali to all seven directions of Thiruparankundram, and we have the right to it.”
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