A member of Hindu Munnani on Monday, 22 December 2025, accused the Tamil Nadu government and the police of acting in a discriminatory and “anti-Hindu” manner after permission was denied for a protest demanding implementation of a court order allowing the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop the Thirupparankundram hill.
Addressing the media, the Hindu Munnani functionary said the organisation had submitted a written request to the police two days earlier seeking permission to hold a peaceful democratic protest at Thirupparankundram, the first abode of Murugan, urging authorities to facilitate the lighting of the Deepam at the hilltop Deepathoon.
“We were given a letter yesterday stating that permission was refused,” he said.
மீண்டும் தடை!!
இந்துக்களின் ஜனநாயக போராட்டத்திற்கு அனுமதி இல்லை…
விசிக கட்சிக்கு அனுமதி வழங்கிய காவல்துறை,
இந்துக்கள் உரிமைக்கு தடை!தொடரும் இந்து விரோதம்…
அடக்குமுறை ஆட்சிக்கு என்ன பதில்??#thirupparankundram #JusticeForPoornachandran #deepathoon #HinduMunnani pic.twitter.com/8MUf4aZkus
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) December 22, 2025
The speaker alleged selective approval by the authorities, pointing out that on the same issue, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi had been granted permission to hold a demonstration at Palanganatham. “Today, Thirumavalavan’s VCK was allowed to conduct a protest on the Thirupparankundram issue. But for Hindu Munnani, permission was denied for a protest on this very same matter,” he said.
Questioning the government’s claims of neutrality, the Hindu Munnani representative said, “This government calls itself a secular government and a Dravidian model government. But in a completely one-sided manner, permission has been given only to VCK, which is part of the INDI alliance, while denying Hindu Munnani the right to hold a democratic protest. We strongly condemn this.”
Referring to judicial proceedings, he said Hindu Munnani had been repeatedly demanding that the order of the Madurai Bench of the High Court permitting the lighting of the Deepam be implemented. “Despite our continuous struggle, the government has not acted on that judgment. On the issue of lighting the Deepam at the top of the hill, they have neither clarified their stand nor taken any action,” he stated.
The speaker further claimed that while members of another community were granted permission to conduct their sandhanakoodu programme, Murugan devotees were being prevented from accessing the hill. “Yesterday, those from the ‘other side’ were given permission for their sandhanakoodu event. But devotees who want to go up to the Kasi Viswanathar Swami shrine above are being told they will not be allowed,” he said.
He added that though authorities had announced that the pathway would be opened after noon, local residents had informed them that access was being facilitated only for those participating in the sandhanakoodu-related events. “This is entirely one-sided,” he alleged.
Accusing the State of favouring one religion over another, the Hindu Munnani member said the government was “functioning completely in support of minorities and against the Hindu community.” He questioned whether the ruling dispensation believed it no longer required Hindu support. “We don’t know if they think they don’t need Hindu votes, but permission has been continuously denied only to us,” he said.
He also alleged restrictions even on symbolic forms of protest. “We are not allowed to tie even a single flag or place a microphone on the road, while VCK is conducting what is effectively a public meeting,” he said, asking whether the State was functioning as a democracy or a dictatorship.
Warning of political consequences, the speaker said, “In 2026, Hindu people will be alert. They will definitely teach an appropriate lesson. Through this protest, we are conveying that message.”
He concluded by asserting that Hindu Munnani would continue its agitation until the Deepam was lit atop the Thirupparankundram hill. “Until the Deepam is lit, Hindu Munnani will continue to struggle by uniting Hindus,” he said.
It is noteworthy that DMK-Congress ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) had announced a protest in Madurai on 22 December 2025, alleging that right-wing organisations are attempting to foment communal tensions in Thirupparankundram.
In a statement, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said the protest was intended to safeguard communal harmony in the region. He stated that it was the responsibility of democratic forces to preserve the peaceful atmosphere in Thirupparankundram and prevent what he described as attempts by divisive and “Sanatana” forces to disturb communal harmony.
Referring to the ongoing Deepam-related dispute at Thirupparankundram, Thirumavalavan cited a court order concerning the issue and claimed that lighting a lamp on the Deepathoon located close to the mosque atop the hill could lead to unrest. He warned that such actions had the potential to escalate tensions in the area.
While permission was given for this protest by the DMK government, permission was denied for the peaceful Hindu Munnani protest that was only urging the government to implement the December 1 court order.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.