Over a hundred police officers and barricades were deployed at the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple Hills after a large group of Islamists attempted to celebrate a ‘feast’ by bringing goats and roosters to the hilltop. They claimed the sacred Hindu temple site as ‘Sikandar Hills.’ When the police intervened to prevent the group from entering the hill path, tensions escalated as the Islamists raised slogans, resulting in a brief scuffle. This incident heightened tensions in Madurai.
Thiruparankundram, is a sacred site for Hindus, renowned for its famous Murugan Temple. This temple is regarded as the first of the six holy abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Muruga, making the hill a revered spiritual destination for millions of devotees.
On 27 December 2024, Madurai police intervened to detain a group of Islamists who attempted to bring goats and roosters to a hilltop dargah in Thiruparankundram, Madurai district, for ritual sacrifice. Syed Abu Dahir, 53, from Malaiyadipatti in Rajapalayam, arrived with his family, a goat, and two roosters for the ceremony. However, authorities stopped the group at the base of the hill, informing them that taking livestock up the hill was prohibited. This led to a protest by over 20 local Muslims from Thiruparankundram, who gathered at the hill’s steps in solidarity with the family.
A week later, on 5 January 2025, another large group of Muslim protesters gathered at Thiruparankundram Hills, demanding permission to offer prayers at the mosque located uphill. The police denied their request, leading to heightened tensions and a brief scuffle between the protesters and law enforcement. Eventually, the police detained the protesters.
Against this backdrop, on 17 January 2025, the Santhanakoodu Festival was held at a nearby dargah. Later that evening, a series of social media posts began circulating, claiming that an “Equality Feast” (Samabanthi Bhojan) would be held on 18 January at the hilltop dargah, where goats and roosters would allegedly be sacrificed. Fearing the potential for communal tension, the police took precautionary measures by setting up barricades and inspecting individuals heading to the Sikandhar Dargah on the hilltop, checking for any meat, goats, or roosters being brought along.
When the dargah Jamath was informed that they could only engage in prayers and not sacrifice animals at the hilltop, members of the Jamath and other Islamists protested against the police. They raised slogans, causing a stir in the region.
சமூக நல்லிணக்க சமபந்தி விருந்து… குவிக்கப்பட்ட போலீசார்…. திருப்பரங்குன்றத்தில் நடப்பது என்ன..?#Madurai #Thiruparankundram #ThirupparankundramDargah #SikkanderDargah #Police #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/FSC7hXlSQH
— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) January 18, 2025
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