The Kerala High Court on Monday, 9 February 2026, directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and its officials to exercise due diligence while publishing or approving content that could hurt the religious sentiments of devotees.
The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Justice K. V Jayakumar and Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V while hearing a petition filed against the Devaswom Board and the Advisory Committee of the Kollam Rameswaram Mahadeva Temple.
The petition challenged a notice issued in connection with the temple’s Thiruvathira Aarattu Maholsavam, which carried an advertisement for an event sponsor. The notice featured images of non-vegetarian food, triggering objections from devotees.
According to the complaint, the inclusion of non-vegetarian food visuals was contrary to temple customs and violated guidelines framed by the temple’s advisory committee regarding acceptable content in festival-related publications.
After hearing submissions from counsel representing the Travancore Devaswom Board, the court directed the Board and its officials to exercise caution while approving notices and brochures linked to temple festivals.
The bench observed that both the Temple Advisory Committee and the Devaswom Board bear responsibility to ensure that festival-related publications do not contain objectionable material that could offend the religious sentiments of devotees.
Devotees visiting the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai have levelled serious allegations of bribery, middlemen exploitation, and administrative inaction, stating that some intermediaries are targeting outstation pilgrims and collecting money to facilitate quicker darshan.
According to devotees, certain middlemen are allegedly receiving payments and escorting devotees directly for darshan, bypassing the regular queues. Pilgrims said this has resulted in ordinary devotees being forced to wait in long lines ranging from four to seven hours.
Devotees also expressed dissatisfaction with the temple administration and officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, alleging that no action has been taken despite recurring complaints.
One devotee in the queue said, “They are charging 500 per person in Tiruvannamalai. We are standing in the queue since 2PM. They did not allow anyone in. We are coming for girivalam every month, but this month has been the worst. Neither is the TN government doing anything about it nor is the HR&CE department.”
An advocate from Tiruppur who was present at the site also raised allegations of malpractice and police misconduct. He said, “Here too much malpractice is going on. Police is taking money and permitting people beyond the limit. There are many women with infants here. There are many diabetics and other patients too. Even if we faint, the police pay no heed. They don’t even give water. They are taking bribes and working. All teh policemen are using abusive language. No one is capable and worthy. Sekar Babu has to see this with his own eyes. Follow this up to the CM. Complain to the CM, don’t leave this. We will take action through court.”
Devotees further alleged that police personnel were verbally abusing people waiting in queues and allowing devotees from other states through separate lines.
The allegations have triggered anger among pilgrims, particularly regular girivalam devotees, who claim that the situation has worsened in recent weeks. No official response has been issued so far by temple authorities or the HR&CE Department regarding the complaints.
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Chennai police have arrested two youths, including college students, after a group of three allegedly dined at a hotel in Kodungaiyur and attempted to leave without paying the bill before assaulting staff and vandalising the premises.
According to preliminary information, the three youths visited the eatery late at night and ate to their fill before trying to walk out without settling the payment. When the hotel cashier and staff demanded the bill amount, the trio turned aggressive.
The accused were reported to have shouted at the staff, verbally abused them in foul language, and then physically assaulted employees. During the altercation, they also damaged property inside the hotel by throwing objects and creating a ruckus.
The sudden violence triggered panic among customers dining at the time, forcing several to flee the premises.
Despite being assaulted, one of the hotel staff members reportedly ran inside the establishment, picked up a knife, and confronted the miscreants. On seeing the weapon, the three youths fled the spot.
Police launched an investigation based on CCTV footage recovered from the hotel. Two of the accused have since been arrested, while efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the third youth.
Officials confirmed that two among the accused are college students. Visuals of the incident, including footage of the miscreants being chased away, have gone viral on social media, drawing public attention to the episode.
Just a few days ago, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi flashed a ‘hardcover copy’ of the unpublished memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ of former Indian Army chief MM Naravane. On Monday, 9 February 2026, the book’s publisher Penguin Random House India issued a clarification.
The publisher said it holds the sole publishing rights to the book and that it has not yet been released. It stated that no copies, print or digital, have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public.
In an official statement, Penguin Random House India said, “In light of recent public discourse and media reporting, Penguin Random House India would like to clarify that we hold the sole publishing rights for the book Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, former Chief of the Indian Army.”
The publisher added, “We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication. No copies of the book – in print or digital form – have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India.”
Warning against unauthorised circulation, the statement said, “Any copies of the book currently in circulation, in whole or in part, whether in print, digital, PDF, or any other format, online or offline, on any platform, constitutes an infringement of PRHI’s copyright and must immediately be ceased.”
The company further said it would pursue legal remedies against violations. “Penguin Random House India shall be exercising remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book,” it said, adding, “This statement is being issued to place the publisher’s position on record.”
A political row broke out after Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from what he described as a “pre-print” version of the memoir during his speech in the Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address last week.
Gandhi sought to read an excerpt relating to the 2017 Doklam stand-off with China but was unable to proceed amid repeated interruptions by Union ministers, including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh. Treasury bench members strongly objected to his remarks.
Following multiple adjournments over the issue, the Lok Sabha later adopted the Motion of Thanks by voice vote amid sloganeering by Opposition members.
Delhi Police register FIR
Meanwhile, Delhi Police said it had taken cognisance of information circulating on social media platforms and news forums claiming that a pre-print copy of Four Stars of Destiny was being shared.
According to ANI, the Special Cell has registered an FIR regarding the circulation of the unpublished book online. The case relates to a “purported leak/breach of a yet to be approved publication.”
Police officials said an investigation has been initiated into claims about the availability and dissemination of the alleged pre-print copy.
Two men, controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth and TanahMalaya.com founder Tamim Dahari Abdul Razak, were remanded for two days following a rally protesting the construction of allegedly illegal temples (“kuil haram”) in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 7 February 2026, police said.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said both were taken into custody after authorities denied permission for the “Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship” rally planned outside Sogo Kuala Lumpur.
Fadil said police had received more than 100 reports ahead of the gathering and had conducted intelligence and security assessments before refusing approval for the assembly. He stated that a total of 131 police reports had been lodged in relation to the planned rally.
According to police, at around 8 PM on Saturday, officers detected approximately 100 individuals assembled in front of the Sogo complex demanding action over alleged encroachment linked to the construction of a kuil haram and a place of worship built without approval.
Police subsequently detained 19 individuals believed to be participants in the gathering, including 15 men and four women, all Malaysians aged between 30 and 64. Most were later released after their statements were recorded.
Authorities said Zamri Vinoth and Tamim Dahari Abdul Razak were being held at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, with investigations initiated under the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, and the Communications and Multimedia Act.
Fadil also said security considerations tied to the official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had influenced the decision to deny permission for the rally. He rejected allegations that enforcement action had targeted only one group.
He added that three men had also been arrested in Klang for uploading TikTok videos related to the issue, noting that investigations on all sides would proceed simultaneously as the matters were connected.
Fadil emphasised that maintaining public peace and harmony was a shared responsibility. He said that if disputes arose over allegedly illegal places of worship, police would cooperate with court orders and take action in accordance with the law. He warned that any attempt to exploit race, religion, or royalty (3R) sensitivities would be investigated and met with firm action.
Vinoth had posted on his Facebook about proceeding with the protest despite directions from the government to withdraw.
Translation:
Who Is Zamri Vinoth?
Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, aged 41, is of Malaysian Tamil origin and was born a Hindu under the name Vinoth Kalimuthu before converting to Islam. Since his conversion, he has emerged as a polarising Islamic preacher known for making inflammatory remarks about Hindu beliefs and practices.
He is widely described as a follower of fugitive islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has been granted asylum in Malaysia. Zamri has previously pledged to renounce his Malaysian citizenship if Naik were extradited to India.
History of Controversies
Zamri’s record includes multiple run-ins with the law and public outrage:
2019 Arrest: Malaysian police detained him after derogatory remarks about Hinduism triggered 867 police complaints. He was investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
2024 TikTok Videos: He posted videos interpreted as insulting Hindu deities, including Lord Shiva, prompting political leaders to demand action.
2025 Kavadi Mockery: Zamri mocked the Hindu kavadi ritual on Facebook, describing devotees as appearing “possessed and drunk,” drawing condemnation from Malaysian Indian leaders.
‘Kuil Haram’ Campaign: His latest campaign labelled Hindu temples as “illegal” or ‘Haram’ and used derogatory caste slurs such as ‘parya’ (pariah) against Hindus, when he commented on free ferry services for Thaipusam earlier this year. He wrote, “Free land, free temples, free trains, free buses, even free ferries hahaha for him, flights are also free. Even the pariah people in India don’t get free land, you know, so you guys, this illegal temple gang, are even more despicable than the common people, why do you all want free land? Everyone wants to have free food, that’s the basic principle.”
Image Source: Facebook
Despite nearly 900 cumulative complaints over the years, critics allege that enforcement action against him has been inconsistent.
Comparison With Firdaus Wong Wai Hung
Observers have drawn parallels between Zamri Vinoth and another high-profile Malaysian convert-preacher, Firdaus Wong Wai Hung who also studied under Zakir Naik, has also faced legal and constitutional scrutiny over his religious activism.
In a landmark judgment, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that a TikTok video by Firdaus Wong encouraging non-Muslim minors to convert to Islam without parental knowledge was unconstitutional and unlawful.
Justice Amarjeet Singh ordered the immediate removal of the video from all platforms, a permanent injunction against similar content, and a payment of RM10,000 in legal costs to eight non-Muslim parents who filed the case.
The controversy stemmed from a June 2024 video in which Firdaus allegedly advised keeping underage conversions secret and unregistered.
Emerging Pattern Of Convert-Preacher Activism
Analysts note that both Zamri Vinoth and Firdaus Wong represent a growing class of high-visibility convert-preachers who leverage social media for religious mobilisation often triggering legal, constitutional, and communal flashpoints.
While Zamri’s controversies centre on anti-Hindu rhetoric and temple protests, Firdaus’ legal battle has focused on conversion outreach, particularly involving minors.
In an undated video clipping that was part of an interview between Dravidianist YouTuber Jeeva Sagapthan and Islamic scholar P. Jainulabdeen, founder of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath, a series of remarks were made criticising idol worship and atheism. It is noteworthy that TNTJ is an organization previously flagged in connection with the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings.
The video clip was shared on Jeeva Today’s Instagram handle a few days ago.
In the exchange, P Jainulabdeen questioned the theological basis of idol worship, arguing that those who create idols themselves should recognise their material nature.
“He does not understand, does he not know this is a stone? Of course he knows; haven’t people gone and taken it right before his eyes? … It does not speak, does it? It does not move, does it?” he said, dismissing the sanctity attributed to idols.
Responding to Jeeva’s counter, that God should directly make non-believers realise the truth, Jainulabdeen maintained that divine intervention was unnecessary because humans had been given intelligence.
“He has said it, I have understood it, if you don’t understand what can I do? God didn’t come directly and tell me; but because I understood it myself. God did not come and tell me personally, I realised it,” he said.
When Jeeva argued that such belief systems were shaped by birth into particular religions, Jainulabdeen rejected the premise.
“No, it can come even if you are born elsewhere. Can’t you understand that a stone is a stone? … After creating by yourself, if you say, ‘This is my God,’ how would that God, from His perspective, take it?” he asked.
The discussion grew more pointed when the subject turned to divine judgment, atheism, and unbelief.
Jeeva pressed Jainulabdeen on whether those who commit shirk or disbelief should face punishment, to which PJ responded, “Yes, punishment,” while adding that “Punishment has many forms.”
“If you take atheists — the same question arises. Atheists cannot even question God — because they say He does not exist,” Jainulabdeen said, adding an analogy: “Like a father who raises and provides for his children and the child says, ‘My father does not exist,’ how would that father feel?”
He further stated, “More than that, God would feel anger, ‘I created everything, and you deny Me?’ … Only one who has the power to be angered at such denial can be God.”
Congress leader Mohan Kumaramangalam has triggered political discussion over the I.N.D.I alliance framework in Tamil Nadu after posting remarks on social media while quoting a video of Congress MP Karti Chidambaram speaking about alliance talks with the DMK.
Sharing Karti Chidambaram’s video clip, Kumaramangalam commented on how the I.N.D.I. bloc was being framed in the context of upcoming state elections.
“INDIA alliance is a formation for parliamentary elections. I haven’t heard the DMK chief or anybody in the upper echelons of his party refer to this election as INDIA vs NDA. Even in the recent Bihar elections, nobody said it was INDIA vs NDA. In fact the phrasing used was Mahagathbandan vs NDA. I can’t fathom why anybody would use this phrasing for a state election.”
INDIA alliance is a formation for parliamentary elections. I haven’t heard the DMK chief or anybody in the upper echelons of his party refer to this election as INDIA vs NDA. Even in the recent bihar elections, nobody said it was INDIA vs NDA. In fact the phrasing used was… https://t.co/TNSEPQPfYe
— Mohan மோகன் Kumaramangalam (@MKumaramangalam) February 8, 2026
His remarks quickly drew attention online, with some social media users interpreting them as a signal that the Congress might be reconsidering its alliance positioning with the DMK in the Assembly polls.
One netizen sought clarification, asking whether his comments implied that the Congress was not inclined toward continuing the alliance.
Responding to this, Kumaramangalam clarified, “I never said that. Whether we are in an alliance or not is something for the leadership of Congress to determine.”
I never said that. Whether we are in an alliance or not is something for the leadership of congress to determine.
— Mohan மோகன் Kumaramangalam (@MKumaramangalam) February 8, 2026
On Friday, 6 February 2026, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, in a press meet, said the DMK had yet to constitute a committee for alliance talks despite preliminary discussions. He noted that while the Congress had already formed a five-member panel, negotiations could begin only after the DMK set up its team.
Downplaying public barbs between party functionaries, he said leadership-level talks would decide seat sharing. Chidambaram asserted that both parties recognised the need to remain together electorally. He described the Congress as a “value-addition” and “multiplier” force in alliances, providing a secular stamp, while adding that fan enthusiasm around new entrants like TVK may not automatically translate into seats.
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A video clip reportedly showing a policeman verbally abusing a migrant worker employed at a roadside eatery in Erode district of Tamil Nadu has gone viral, prompting departmental action. Authorities said on Monday, 9 February 2026, that the personnel concerned has been transferred to the Armed Reserve pending enquiry.
According to police, the incident occurred on the night of 8 February 2026 in the Kanchikoil area. The policeman, who appeared visibly agitated in the footage, allegedly slapped the migrant worker, officials said.
The CCTV footage from the eatery shows the policeman questioning the guest worker in what appears to be an intimidating manner about his native place, following which a verbal altercation ensued.
He says, “Where are you from? Close the shop and leave. Don’t even think of opening tomorrow. I’ll cut off your legs. Go. Get out. Move. Close it now.” Saying so, he is seen throwing things at the workers.
He continues, “Who do you think you are talking to? Hey, where are you from? Where are you from, you dog? Do you even know where I’m from? I belong to this place. Get out! Move! Don’t even try to open this shop tomorrow. I’ll shave off my moustache. Go!”
He further said, “What did you say? What is the time. Close it now! It is 10 PM.”
A scuffle ensues and he says, “You’re raising your hand against a policeman? What’s the time? 10.20. You should close at 10 PM.”
When asked why he hit the worker, he replied, “Who are you? What will you do? I told you clearly 10PM (abuse). You don’t tell me what I should talk. How dare you question me!” (He continues to use abusive language)
Then the policeman asks details of the owner, “Whose shop is this? Tell him to come to the station at 10AM. This shop shouldn’t open tomorrow. You people come here to survive and act like this?”
The policeman is heard saying that it was past 10 PM and questioning how the shop remained open at that hour, directing that it be shut. He is also seen pushing aside vessels and cooking items using his baton.
During the exchange, the migrant worker stated that he was merely an employee and that only the shop owner would be in a position to answer operational questions.
The visibly distressed worker is heard asking the policeman why he was beaten and points toward the CCTV camera, stating that everything was being recorded. When the policeman asks whether the worker was “laying his hands” on a police officer, the latter responds by pointing to the camera and stating that the policeman was the one holding his shirt.
Police authorities confirmed that the personnel involved has been transferred to the Armed Reserve unit pending further enquiry. The home state of the migrant worker could not be immediately ascertained.
Reacting to the incident, BJP leader K Annamalai shared the video on social media and wrote: “The police are authorised to enforce the law. But, they do not have the right to inflict damage on property or to harass, abuse, or assault migrant workers merely based on the State they come from.
When such conduct is witnessed within the Tamil Nadu State Police itself, it is hardly surprising that migrant workers across the State are increasingly subjected to physical and verbal abuse under the watch of the corrupt DMK government.
It is high time we recognise and acknowledge the indispensable contribution of migrant workers to Tamil Nadu’s economy. From the construction of Metro Rail projects and National Highways to residential buildings, factories, and small production units, every pillar of our economic activity rests significantly on their labour. To deny them dignity is to undermine our own growth.
These disturbing incidents are the inevitable outcome of years of hatred being systematically sown against migrant workers for narrow political gains by the DMK.”
The police are authorised to enforce the law. But, they do not have the right to inflict damage on property or to harass, abuse, or assault migrant workers merely based on the State they come from.
When such conduct is witnessed within the Tamil Nadu State Police itself, it is… pic.twitter.com/I3Tf3nmRLa
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan has announced that the party will organise its “Tamil National Awakening Conference” on May 17, following the completion of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The announcement was made through a video address to party cadres, where Thirumavalavan said the conference had originally been proposed earlier this year but was being rescheduled due to election-related organisational priorities.
Announcing the final decision, he said, “Through this live address, I wish to inform you that the Tamil National Awakening Conference will be held on May 17.”
Explaining the choice of date, Thirumavalavan said May 17 carries deep historical significance.
“May 17 – the day Brother Prabhakaran was killed by Sinhala-Buddhist majoritarian forces – is remembered by Tamils across the world. It is a day that can never be forgotten in Tamil history,” he said.
He further said, “Senior comrades suggested that the Tamil National Awakening Conference be held on that day. Accordingly, I officially announce to you that the Tamil National Awakening Conference will be held on May 17. Whether it will be held in Chennai or another location will be announced later. But it will be held on May 17.”
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The Supreme Court on 9 February 2026 refused to interfere with the judgment passed by the Madras High Court holding that Muslims have no right to conduct prayers except during Ramzan and Bakri-Id at the Nellithoppu area, 33 cents of which is owned by the Sikkandar Badhusha Avuliya Dargah atop the Thirupparankundram hills in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu.
The High Court, in its October 2025 judgment, had also ruled that animal sacrifice cannot be permitted in the area.
Challenging the High Court’s verdict, one M Imam Hussain, a worshipper at the dargah, approached the Supreme Court.
A Bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale, however, refused to interfere with the High Court’s order, terming it balanced.
Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate Prashant Bhushan submitted that there has never been a law-and-order problem in the area.
Bhushan said, “… Ramzan and Bakri-eid festival days alone. That is what we are aggrieved by, the word alone…once the Nellithoppu area has been decreed by the Trial Court and affirmed by Privy Council, the High Court also records that affirmation. They say, Mohamaddens have been granted declaration of the title for the extent of 33 cents in the Nellithoppu area…now, the problem is, despite holding that the Nellithoppu area, the land belongs to Mohemmands, they have restricted prayers to Ramzan and Bakri-eid. Other conditions can be there, we maintain law and order, but there has never been a law and order problem.”
Justice Kumar responded that had there been no law-and-order issue, there would not have been a meeting of the Peace Committee.
“It seems to be a very very balanced order,” Justice Kumar said, with Justice Varale agreeing.
“We do not propose to interfere with the order. Without expressing any opinion on rights of the parties, the impugned order stands upheld,” the Bench observed in its order.
Background of the Dispute
The issue pertains to the location of places of worship at the Thirupparankundram Hill. The performance of namaz and animal sacrifice at the hill, which also primarily houses the temple Arulmighu Subramaniaswamy Thirukovil, has been a matter of controversy.
In June 2025, a two-judge Bench of the Madras High Court delivered a split verdict.
While Justice Nisha Banu refused to interfere with the practice of animal sacrifice, Justice S. Srimathy took a different view and held that the dargah should approach the civil court to establish its right to conduct Kandoori animal sacrifice and prayers during Ramzan, Bakrid and other Islamic festivals.
Justice Srimathy also observed that the practice of offering namaz at Nellithoppu was of recent origin. She said the congregation of a large number of persons for such prayers would obstruct the pathway leading to the Kasi Viswanathan temple and encroach upon other portions of the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy temple complex.
Considering the split verdict, the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court referred the matter to a third judge for final adjudication.
Third Judge Verdict
On October 10, 2025, the third judge ruled that Muslim devotees have limited rights to offer namaz only during Ramzan and Bakri-Eid.
However, the Court held that no animal sacrifice, cooking, or carrying or serving of non-vegetarian food would be permitted until a competent civil court decides on the customary practice of animal sacrifice at the hillock.
These orders were subsequently challenged before the Supreme Court as arbitrary and contrary to Article 25 of the Constitution.
