BJP Leader K Annamalai, in a press meet on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, launched a sharp attack against the ruling DMK government, accusing it of intentionally instigating religious discord over temple practices and predicting significant electoral repercussions in the 2026 Assembly polls.
His comments centered on two recent controversies: the renaming of a hillock to ‘Sikandar Malai’ against a court order, and the ongoing legal battle over lighting a lamp (deepam) at the ancient Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple in Madurai.
On ‘Sikandar Malai’ and Electoral Justice
Annamalai asserted that the attempt to unilaterally rename a hill, despite a court verdict, is an act of disorder that the public is watching closely. He connected this directly to political accountability.
“The attempt to change the name of the hill to Sikandar Malai, after the court gave its verdict, [they] say they will not respect it and are unilaterally creating disorder and problems,” he stated. “Certainly, this will reflect in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.”
He extended this warning to the Congress, citing anger against its Puducherry MP over the issue. Framing it as a matter of justice for Hindu devotees, Annamalai said, “Because Hindu brethren, Murugan devotees, must seek permanent justice through the ballot box today. Even if the court gives justice, when representatives elected by the people try to break it, there is no option for Murugan devotees other than this.”
On the Thirupparankundram Deepam Controversy
The BJP leader delved into the history of the Thirupparankundram case, disputing the Wakf Board’s claim that the lamp-lighting practice has been absent for long. “They filed this case in the Madurai Sub Court in 1920. Starting from that day until today, this practice has been absent, as we all know,” he noted, highlighting that the 1300-year-old temple has a specific lamp pillar (deepathoon) for the purpose.
He cited the December 1st court verdict, which called it a “great injustice” if devotees cannot light the lamp even once a year on Karthigai Deepam. Annamalai alleged deliberate provocation by the DMK, pointing out that the Dargah management did not appeal immediately after the verdict.
“When the verdict was given on December 1st, the Dargah did not appeal on the 2nd, nor did they appeal on the 3rd. Only after the 4th did the DMK instigate and bring the Dargah forward. This truth is known to all the people,” he stated.
Addressing legal arguments that the case should be in a civil court, Annamalai clarified that the court had already distinguished between locations. “Justice GR Swaminathan gave a verdict saying that the top of the hill has the Dargah, so the lamp should not be lit there. There is no problem for anyone if the lamp is lit on the deepathoon, which is 50 meters away from the summit.”
He accused the DMK government of “intentionally instigating the Dargah and creating communal riots.”
Responding to “Two Pillars” Argument
Annamalai strongly condemned an argument presented by a lawyer for the HR&CE department, who reportedly asked if lamps could be lit on two pillars because “Murugan has two wives.”
“We demand that the State government kneel before the Murugan devotees and apologize. They should apologize just for presenting this argument,” he said, adding that this was viewed as the opinion of the DMK government. “They are not asking for all pillars, they are only asking for the deepathoon.”
Assured of Electoral Impact
Drawing a parallel to the Sabarimala issue in Kerala, Annamalai was confident of electoral backlash. “It will definitely be reflected in the elections,” he said, citing BJP’s gains in Thiruvananthapuram local body polls as an example.
He framed the issue as one of selective discrimination. “Open the Haj house, no problem. Go to the Christmas celebrations, no problem. Why are you hurting the Hindu community?… We are questioning because you are belittling Hindu sentiments and making a mistake. That is our right, our duty.”
Concluding, Annamalai positioned the BJP and allied Hindu groups as protectors of religious rights without being antagonistic to other faiths. “None of us here are against Muslims or Christians, and we will not become opponents.”
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.