Islamists Protest To Offer Namaz At Dargah Located In Madurai’s Thiruparankundram Hill Famous For Murugan Temple, Scuffle Breaks Out Between Police And Protestors
A group of Muslim protesters assembled in large numbers at Thiruparankundram Hills in Madurai, demanding permission to offer prayers at the uphill mosque. When the police denied their request, tensions escalated, resulting in a brief commotion and a scuffle between the protesters and law enforcement. Eventually, the protesters were detained by the police.
#JUSTIN | தொழுகை நடத்த அனுமதி கோரி ஆர்ப்பாட்டம்
மதுரை, திருப்பரங்குன்றம் மலை மேல்
உள்ள பள்ளிவாசலில் தொழுகை நடத்த அனுமதிக்க கோரிக்கை – போலீசார் அனுமதி மறுப்புஆர்ப்பாட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டவர்கள் வலுக்கட்டாயமாக கைது; காவல்துறையினர், போராட்டக்காரர்கள் இடையே தள்ளுமுள்ளு#Madurai |… pic.twitter.com/4Vs7Pr7a4T
— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) January 5, 2025
This current protests stemmed from a recent incident in which police refused to permit a Muslim family to perform a sacrificial ritual at the hilltop dargah in Thiruparankundram, Madurai district. The authorities intervened and detained several individuals who attempted to bring goats and roosters to the hill for the ritual sacrifice.
The incident involved Syed Abu Dahir, a 53-year-old man from Malaiyadipatti in Rajapalayam, who arrived at the dargah with his family, a goat, and two roosters to perform the traditional sacrifice. Thiruparankundram is a revered site for Hindus, known for its famous Murugan Temple, which is regarded as the first of Lord Muruga’s six holy abodes (Arupadai Veedu). The hill holds immense spiritual significance for millions of Hindu devotees.
Police stopped the family at the base of the hill, explaining that taking livestock uphill was prohibited. In response, over 20 local Muslims from Thiruparankundram gathered at the hill’s steps to protest in support of the family.
Assistant Commissioners of Police Gurusamy, Ganesan, and Seetharaman, along with RTO Kannan, arrived to mediate the situation. The protesters asserted that animal sacrifice, cooking, and consumption at the dargah had been part of a long-standing tradition. The RTO suggested they submit a formal petition, promising to forward it to the government for a decision. However, the protesters rejected this solution and continued their demonstration.
Ultimately, the police arrested 10 individuals, including those who had brought the animals. They were later released, but the incident sparked tensions in the area. Some accused the group of attempting to create religious discord in Thiruparankundram, a place of profound spiritual importance for Hindus, potentially endangering the harmony and coexistence in the region.
The Thiruparankundram Temple – Sikandar Dargah Dispute
Thirupparankundram is revered as one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan. In addition to the Subramanya Swamy temple, the hill features rock-cut temples from the Pandya period, along with ancient inscriptions and paintings.
During the Madurai Sultanate’s reign, many temples were deprived of regular rituals until Kumara Kampanna overthrew the Sultanate. Historical accounts suggest that a dargah was established on the hill during this time. Muslims believe the dargah marks the burial site of Sikandar Zulqarnain, who they claim preached Islam in the region. They refer to the hill as “Sikkandar Hill.”
Hindu groups allege that under the guise of celebrating festivals, encroachments by Muslims on parts of the hill have increased over time. They claim the HR&CE Department, which manages the Subramanya Swamy temple, engages in appeasement politics and has failed to address these concerns.
Hindu activists have also sought to revive the tradition of lighting the Karthigai deepam at a stupa near the Kasi Viswanathar Temple, a practice disrupted during World War II. However, the Tamil Nadu government has denied permissions, citing potential law and order issues. Activists allege that this reluctance has allowed encroachments to expand.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the deepam can be lit as long as it is at least 15 meters away from the dargah. However, lighting it at an alternative spot, as mandated by the government, allegedly violates Agama rules.
In recent years, Hindu groups have pushed for the restoration of their traditions, but their efforts have often faced resistance from authorities. Meanwhile, instances of Namaz being offered on the pathway to the Kasi Viswanathar Temple and other actions have heightened tensions in the region.
The Madras High Court had recently refused to prohibit the offering of Namaz on the pathway leading to the Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Thirupparankundram, Madurai District.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
