A heavy police deployment at Thirupparankundram in Madurai on Sunday, 21 December 2025, triggered sharp protests from local residents, who accused the DMK government of enforcing unequal religious permissions. The unrest followed police-facilitated movement of a flagpole and flag to the hilltop for the Sandanakoodu ritual at the Sikandar Dargah, even as Hindu devotees alleged, they were repeatedly denied permission to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon on the same hill despite a subsisting court order allowing the ritual.
Residents said the flashpoint was the police decision to escort a flagpole and flag to the hilltop under heavy security, despite sustained objections from the local Hindu population. This, they alleged, was done even as authorities continued to deny permission to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon (stone lamp pillar) on the same hill, notwithstanding a court order permitting the ritual.
According to residents, the Dargah flag and flagpole linked to the Sandanakoodu ritual were taken through Palani Andavar Koil Street and Kottai Street by more than 20 Muslim men, escorted by a large police contingent. Locals said their objections were ignored and that the procession continued despite vocal resistance.
Earlier in the day, residents, predominantly women, had staged protests accusing the Tamil Nadu government of wilfully failing to implement the court’s order on the Deepam. They alleged that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were imposed “within seconds” to prevent Hindus from ascending the hill, while no such restrictions were applied for the Dargah-related activity.
Several women protesters alleged that during the afternoon agitation, police detained multiple women, including pregnant women, elderly women, and mothers carrying infants. They were taken to a private marriage hall and held for hours. One woman said detainees were picked up around 1 pm and released only close to 6 pm, while some women were allegedly kept until 8.30 pm, far beyond permissible limits. She alleged that the police did not provide food, forcing detainees to depend on others outside.
Residents further alleged that police officials told them that the detained women would be released only after the Dargah flag was taken up the hill and hoisted. Protesters said they were initially informed that only four people would be allowed to go up. However, they later witnessed more than 30 people being escorted uphill under full police protection.
One lady stated that the administration had imposed Section 144 on Hindu localities almost instantly, after which residents were effectively confined to their homes. She stated water tankers and garbage collection vehicles were stopped, children were unable to go to school, and the area functioned under curfew-like conditions for two days. When questioned, residents were allegedly told that a curfew had been imposed.
Another woman said a senior official had assured her that the Deepathoon belonged to the devotees and promised to personally accompany them to light the lamp. She said the official claimed the demand would be fulfilled and the women released. However, she alleged that shortly thereafter, the Dargah flag was taken and hoisted, while permission to light the Deepam was again denied.
As evening approached, women were seen holding earthen lamps, oil, and wicks, attempting to proceed towards the hill despite police barricades. Protesters said that if police security could be provided for one religious procession, it should also be provided for lighting the Deepam. They questioned why Hindus were never given similar protection.
Locals said that while more than 20–25 people were allowed to climb the hill under police escort to hoist the Dargah flag, Hindus were repeatedly denied permission even when they themselves offered to restrict their number to four. They questioned whom the police were “cooperating with” and asked why the administration appeared fearful of enforcing the law equally.
Another resident highlighted the plight of families of those detained, stating that men were taken away around noon and not released for hours, leaving small children stranded at home. In one case, a one-and-a-half-year-old child was allegedly left behind while the father was detained. Residents said police told them detainees would be released only after “their work” was completed.
By nightfall, the flag had been hoisted at the Sikandar Dargah atop the hill under full police protection. Released detainees returned to the protest site and reiterated that they would continue to agitate until they were allowed to light the Karthigai Deepam and access temples such as the Kasi Vishwanathar Temple.
Madurai City Deputy Commissioner of Police Inigo Divyan was present on site, leading police efforts to control the situation and hold talks with residents. Protesters, however, said the discussions yielded no outcome and accused the DMK government of practising what they called “brazen Dravidian Model appeasement”.
Residents concluded by stating that their protest was not political but rooted in equal rights. They warned that continued denial of permission to light the Deepam, while allowing other religious activities under state protection, risked creating divisions in an area that had historically remained peaceful.
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