Residents of Thirupparankundram have intensified their protest, demanding that the deepam be lit at the Deepathoon atop the Thirupparankundram hill, after a court order permitting the ritual continues to be ignored by the authorities of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu.
A resident/protester struck a defiant note, stating that the agitation would continue until the lamp was lit at the summit.
“Even if I fall from this hill, even if I die, I will not leave without lighting the lamp. Until the deepam is lit at the very top, this protest will continue. If they allow it, we will withdraw. Otherwise, we will keep protesting.”
She stressed that the movement was not directed against any community.
“We are not opposing Muslims. They are our people too. Let them light their lamps, and let us also light ours. This is not about caste or politics. We are ordinary people standing together for Murugan.”
Drawing a parallel with earlier mass movements in Tamil Nadu, another resident added, “Just as people protested for Jallikattu and won, this struggle for lighting the lamp on this hill will continue. The government and the administration is showing partiality. They must definitely give up this partiality and come forward at least a little for the sake of the Tamil people, for the sake of the Hindu people. All we are asking is permission to light a lamp. If the lamp is lit, what harm will come of it? The deepam must be lit.”
Other residents continued to intensify the protests by lighting lamps outside their homes, on streets and planting Murugan flags all across the village.
The situation at Thirupparankundram remains tense, with residents maintaining that their protest will not be called off until the hilltop lamp is officially permitted to be lit in accordance with the court’s direction.
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