DMK MP Thanga Tamil Selvan had said that tensions in Thiruparankundram stemmed from what he described as an attempt to introduce a new and non-traditional practice on Skandar Hill, leading to conflict where none previously existed. His remarks came during the Skandhar Vs Sikandar Malai row triggered by Islamists, in which he discussed the origins of the dispute.
According to the MP, relations between the Piramalai Kallar community and local Muslims had historically been peaceful. He said trouble began only when certain individuals announced plans to conduct animal sacrifice and distribute biryani at the site.
“There is no difference of opinion at all between the Piramalai Kallar community or the Muslims living there. The problem only starts when someone suddenly comes and says, ‘I’ll go there, slaughter a goat, serve biryani and show blood flowing.’ This is an unnecessary issue,” he said.
Tamil Selvan added that Hindu and Muslim residents had lived harmoniously for years and alleged that external groups contributed to the escalation.
“Until now, the respected Muslim elders living there and we have all lived together as one… It is the Hindu Munnani, RSS side starting an argument with the Muslim elders here over an unnecessary issue – that is what I first criticise as a big mistake.”
When asked where he believed the problem originated, he stated: “Our Muslim brothers going there and saying they will offer blood sacrifice and slaughter goats there in that spot – that itself was the first mistake.”
When asked whether the practice of offering animals on the hill was part of the traditional customs, Thanga Tamil Selvan initially denied it. He said it was “not part of the local custom.”
The interviewer pointed out that for nearly 600 years, people in the region had taken hens and chickens as offerings to fulfil vows. Tamil Selvan responded that while such acts might occur occasionally and “naturally,” the dispute arose only because some individuals were now trying to formalise it into a fixed ritual.
He explained: “Yes, it happens naturally. But trying to convert that into a ritual, saying ‘we will change it and do this every day’, that is wrong.”
Tamil Selvan also argued that major sections of the Muslim community did not support such new practices.
“Generally, if you look at the respected Muslim elders… in that faith, they will not worship a grave or dargah as such. Now they are trying to forcibly introduce a new ritual or practice there – that is what we are opposing.”
திருப்பரங்குன்றம் பிரச்சனைக்கு முழு முதல் காரணம் கந்தன் மலை மீது இதுவரை இல்லாத ஆடு வெட்டுவேன் பிரியாணி கொடுப்பேன் என்று ஒன்றை இஸ்லாமிய சமூகத்தினர் ஆரம்பித்தது தான்.
– திமுக MP தங்க தமிழ் செல்வன் பேட்டி #Thiruparankundram #திருப்பரங்குன்றம் pic.twitter.com/jH9H2W1be2
— Bagavath Pratheep (@Bagavathprathee) December 5, 2025
In January 2025, Ramanathapuram MP and Tamil Nadu Waqf Board chairman Navas Kani triggered controversy after posting photos of people eating non-vegetarian biryani near the entrance of Thirupparankundram Temple Hills, during a visit related to the ongoing dargah dispute. His remarks that cooked meat was permitted and that restrictions would be lifted soon sparked public outrage, with critics accusing him of provoking communal tension.
The incident comes amid weeks of unrest, including attempts by some Muslim groups to take goats and roosters up the hill for sacrifice, repeated police intervention, protests, and Kani’s earlier claim that the hilltop dargah is Waqf property, intensifying Hindu–Muslim tensions.
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