The Chennimalai Murugan Temple, situated in Erode district and boasting a history of over 3000 years, is in news due to a recent contentious speech by the local Christian Munnani group proposing to rename it as “Kalvaari Mala” or “Yesu Mala”.
This proposition has stirred controversy among the local Hindus, who have been venerating Chennimalai Murugan for generations.
Chennimalai is situated between Erode and Coimbatore. It is known as Siragiri and Chenniyangiri in Devanagiri, and Chennimalai in Tamil, the hill lends its name to the city at its base. The hill is also referred to as Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri, and Siragiri. Notably, the revered hymn ‘Kanda Sashti Kavacham,’ praising Lord Murugan, was first staged by Sri Bala Devaraya Swamigal at this temple.
கடந்த #அதிமுக ஆட்சிகாலத்தில் திருசெஞ்கோடுகோயிலை தவறாக எழுதியவனை மன்னிப்புகேட்ட வைத்து ஊரில் நுழைய தடை விதித்தது! திமுக ஆட்சி வரும் வரை அவனால் அதனை மீற முடியவில்லை! #சென்னிமலை முருகன்கோயிலை அழிக்க நினைக்கும் துஷ்டர்களுக்கு நிச்சயம் அரசியல் எதிர்காலம் இல்லை! #KonguNadu #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/7m7lOmh1Tg
— Karthik (@skarthikdotin) October 9, 2023
What Actually Conspired
Unauthorised Christian prayer meetings took place in the predominantly Hindu community of Chennimalai, Erode District, causing local tensions. These meetings aimed to promote the Christian faith and attracted attendees from outside the town.
Offensive remarks about Hindu deities were made during these gatherings through loudspeakers, deeply offending Hindu residents. Despite causing issues, the unauthorised meetings continued.
On 17 September, a confrontation occurred when members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to the meetings and insisted on proper permissions. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation between the BJP members and the Hindu Munnani, resulting in a police case with charges, including attempted murder.
Christian organisations and political groups like the Revolutionary Youth Front, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and MDMK demanded action against those opposing the prayer meetings. Two individuals, Chinnaswamy and Tamilarasan, were arrested by the police, which shocked BJP and Hindu Munnani members who felt the police acted unilaterally.
A Christian demonstration on 26 September 2023 raised concerns as some speakers expressed intent to transform the Chennimalai Murugan temple hill into a “Kalvari Hill”. Hindu organisations mobilized support for protests, and the issue transformed into a religious matter, distressing Muruga devotees and prompting further demonstrations and tensions in the area.
The Hindu Munnani has accused the Christian Munnani, along with certain local Christian missionaries instigated by certain political parties, of publicly giving a controversial speech saying that the sacred Hindu worship site of Chennimalai will be renamed.
The Hindu Munnani has strongly condemned this act, stating that it hurt the sentiments of Hindus. They have announced plans to stage a protest on 13 October 2023. Furthermore, they alleged that the Christian Munnani is undertaking these actions with the support of certain local politicians.
சென்னிமலை முருகன் கோயில்!
கிறிஸ்துவர்களின் மோசடி மதமாற்ற முயற்சி! உள்ளூர் பொதுமக்கள் நடத்தும்
அறப்போராட்டத்திற்கு இந்து மக்கள் கட்சி
ஆதரவு! கம்யுனிஸ்டுகள்,திராவிடர் கழகங்கள் கிறிஸ்துவர்களுக்கு ஆதரவு!
சென்னிமலை சிலுவை மலை என பெயர்மாற்றம் செய்யதுடிக்கும் கிறிஸ்துவர்கள! 13ம் தேதி pic.twitter.com/qw9Fkx1huV— Arjun Sampath (@imkarjunsampath) October 9, 2023
In a recently released video by Indu Makkal Katchi head Arjun Sampath, a Tamil public speaker named Manjunathan expressed strong disapproval for the proposition to rename the sacred Hindu place of worship. He emphasised that Chennimalai holds immense historical and cultural significance in the Erode district, revered by their ancestors for generations.
He said that the Christian Munnani’s suggestion to rename the temple has caused distress among Hindus, who have always been supportive of other communities without animosity. This effort to rename the temple is influenced by political motives and stated firmly that such actions will not succeed. He encouraged support for the protest against Christian Munnani’s divisive proposal on 13 October 2023.
It is noteworthy to mention here that an entire hill of in Tamil Nadu was encroached by Christian missionaries for years. The Vajragiri hill located about 95 km from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, atop which exists the Pasupathiswarar temple was encroached and there were allegations of local Hindus being denied access to the temple.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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