The removal of condolence posters bearing the photograph of Poorna Chandran, who died recently, has sparked controversy in Madurai district, with sharp criticism directed at the police and the Dravidian Model DMK government.
According to those associated with Hindu groups and right-wing organisations, condolence posters were put up across several parts of Tamil Nadu mourning Poorna Chandran’s death. In Madurai city, however, police personnel were seen removing the posters and detaining at least one individual who had pasted them, the speakers alleged.
Reacting to the action, devotees and supporters at the site questioned the police’s priorities, asking whether removing posters fell within the core responsibilities of law enforcement. They alleged that while serious crimes such as drug trafficking, illicit liquor sales, sexual offences, theft and murder required attention, the police had instead focused on tearing down condolence posters.
Critics described the action as an attempt to suppress even expressions of mourning and alleged that the government was intolerant of public displays connected to the Thirupparankundram hill issue and Sanatana Dharma. They claimed that volunteers, Murugan devotees, and members of various political parties and right-wing movements had participated in putting up the posters.
Allegations were also levelled directly at the Madurai city police leadership. One speaker demanded the suspension of the Madurai Police Commissioner, alleging that had earlier court orders been respected, Poorna Chandran’s death could have been avoided. Devotees referred to earlier deaths connected to the Thirupparankundram hill dispute, specifically naming Ramagopalan, AR Kalidas, and others, and claimed that Poorna Chandran was the latest in a series of such deaths.
The speakers further alleged that the removal of posters reflected a broader pattern of hostility towards Hindu religious expression by the ruling government and questioned what law-and-order issue was being addressed by detaining those involved in pasting condolence posters.
கஞ்சா விக்கிறவன புடிக்க முடியல….
கண்ணீர் அஞ்சலி போஸ்டர் ஒட்றவன
புடிச்சு வெச்சிருக்காங்க#TamilJanam #police #Madurai #thiruparangundramkovil #thiruparangundramissue #MKStalin pic.twitter.com/ziUvLX1Rwn— Tamil Janam (@TamilJanamNews) December 19, 2025
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