Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday, 23 February 2026, alleged that a Kandha Sashti Kavacham recitation programme was prevented at a Murugan temple in Namakkal district, triggering a fresh political row over the alleged curbs on devotees’ right to chant.
Earlier in the day he had called upon Murugan devotees across the state to collectively recite the Kandha Sashti Kavacham at 6 PM, citing what he described as long-standing grievances over restrictions at Thirupparankunram.
Speaking to the press, Nagenthran said that an appeal had been issued asking all Murugan devotees living across Tamil Nadu to hold lamps in their streets and recite the Kandha Sashti Kavacham. He stated that despite a court verdict, devotees continued to feel distressed that they were unable to light lamps at Thirupparankunram.
He urged that at 6 PM, people in every locality should gather together in public places and recite the Kandha Sashti Kavacham collectively rather than individually. He added that lighting lamps remained their wish and said the prayer was also being made so that the National Democratic Alliance forms the government in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The recitation was also arranged in temples. It is alleged that the DMK government had prevented a Kandha Sashti Kavacham recitation programme at the Iyimangalam Murugan temple in Namakkal district.
Nagenthran took to his X handle to state that the DMK government, which he accused of repeatedly obstructing the worship of Lord Murugan, would be driven out. He said the alleged prevention of the recital by what he described as the government’s “proxy machinery” deserved strong condemnation.
Nagenthran questioned whether, in what he termed a regime speaking of “fake secularism,” devotees would be denied permission not only to light lamps on the hill but also to recite Lord Murugan’s name inside temples during the Karthigai festival.
He further alleged that the government was attempting to suppress the cultural rights of millions of Murugan devotees and said such “fascist” actions by the DMK government would not succeed. He added that the DMK’s “daydream” of returning to power would not be fulfilled.
தொடர்ந்து முருகப்பெருமானின் வழிபாட்டிற்கு முட்டுக்கட்டை போடும் திமுக அரசு விரட்டியடிக்கப்படும்!
நாமக்கல் மாவட்டம் இயைமங்கலம் முருகன் கோவிலில் கந்தசஷ்டி கவசம் பாராயணம் நிகழ்ச்சியை நடத்தவிடாமல் திமுக அரசின் ஏவல்துறை தடுத்திருப்பது வன்மையான கண்டனத்திற்குரியது.
போலி…
— Nainar Nagenthran (@NainarBJP) February 23, 2026
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
