A historic Shiva temple in Kerala has become the epicenter of a major religious and political controversy after its main gate was locked by municipal authorities following alleged threats and intimidation by activists of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which is the political arm of the banned terror organization PFI.

The Aralummoodu Shivapuram Sree Mahadeva Temple in Balaramapuram, a place of worship established over 80 years ago by the ancestors of freedom fighter Ramanathan Nair, has been sealed, halting ongoing renovation work and disrupting daily rituals. The action has drawn fierce protests from Hindu organizations and raised serious questions about the safety of the minority Hindu community in the area.

According to reports, the controversy erupted when the temple, based on the findings of a traditional ‘devaprasnam’ ritual, began renovation work. It was at this juncture that individuals alleged to be SDPI activists intervened. They reportedly threatened the Balaramapuram municipal secretary, demanding that the temple work be stopped as it was “illegal.”

The intimidation did not stop there. A police officer from the Special Branch also called the temple committee and threatened them to halt the renovation. Facing this pressure, the municipal secretary eventually locked the main gate of the temple and posted a notice stating, “This is municipal land; entering without permission is forbidden, violators will be prosecuted.”

A Pattern of Intimidation

The incident reveals a deeper pattern of intimidation. Hindu Aikya Vedi state secretary K. Prabhakaran, who is leading the protest at the temple site, stated that the municipal secretary admitted to them that he was threatened by four SDPI men. “When pressed about which group, he wouldn’t say at first, then admitted it was SDPI, that SDPI men threatened him, spoke in a threatening tone, and forced the closure,” Prabhakaran said.

He also stated that the municipal secretary, when confronted, admitted that four men from the SDPI had threatened him, forcing his hand. “They are not local residents, they are outsiders,” Prabhakaran stated, adding that the same SDPI group had previously targeted the old Gopan Swami Samadhi.

The intimidation reportedly extended beyond the municipal office. Police officers were also threatened, and a Special Branch police officer subsequently called the temple committee, threatening them to stop the renovation.

Local Harmony Disrupted, Hindus “Live in Fear”

Protesters and local devotees emphasize that the local Muslim community has historically lived in harmony with the temple. They point out that Muslim residents have traditionally participated in temple festivals like the ‘kanji vezhuthu’ (rice-porridge offering) and have had no objections to the temple’s presence or its renovation.

The lockout has sent shockwaves through the local Hindu community, who now say they live in “fear day and night.” Protesters have drawn stark comparisons, asking, “Is this Afghanistan, is this Taliban, or is this Pakistan?”

Hindu organizations are questioning if Kerala is becoming “Afghanistan, Taliban, or Pakistan,” where they are being targeted. They allege that the municipality’s action is selective, as numerous illegal settlements in the vicinity, including an area known as Thakkapalli, have been left untouched, while only the ancient temple is being targeted.

Suspicions of Political Backing and Sustained Protests

Protesters have raised suspicions of political backing for the SDPI’s actions, pointing to the ruling CPM as a possible force “behind the effort to disrupt religious harmony.” They also allege a double standard in enforcing encroachment laws, noting that numerous illegal settlements in the vicinity, including Thakkapalli, have been left untouched due to political patronage, while only the temple is being targeted.

In response, devotees and Hindu groups, including the Hindu Aikyavedi, have begun a continuous protest camp on the temple grounds, conducting chanting protests (namajapa) and vowing to agitate until the temple is reopened. They have issued a stern warning to the government and local authorities, holding them responsible for all consequences if the lock is not removed immediately and the “injustice” against the Hindu community is not rectified.

Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Kerala: Historic Shiva Temple Locked After SDPI Allegedly Threatens Officials; Hindu Groups Protest appeared first on The Commune.

The violent border clash broke out between Cambodia and Thailand on 24 July 2025, marking the most serious escalation in over a decade. The confrontation erupted near the Ta Muen Thom temple, leaving 12 dead, injuring dozens, and forcing mass evacuations in nearby areas.

According to Thai military sources, the fighting began in the early morning hours after Cambodian forces allegedly deployed drones for reconnaissance near Thai positions in Surin Province. Thai troops reportedly attempted to de-escalate, but by 8:20 AM, intense cross-border gunfire had begun.

At the center of this long-running conflict lies not just territorial claims, but ancient heritage sites most notably, the Preah Vihear temple, a revered 900-year-old Hindu shrine perched on a cliff in the Dangrek mountain range. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and built during the height of the Khmer Empire, Preah Vihear is considered sacred by both Cambodians and Thais.

Just 95 kilometers west, the 12th-century Ta Muen Thom temple, also dedicated to Shiva, sits near the current flashpoint. Together, these temples form part of a historical fault line one that has seen centuries of power struggles, now playing out in modern military skirmishes.

History Echoes: From Suryavarman to Rajendra Chola

It’s no coincidence that this flare-up comes as Southeast Asia quietly marks 1,000 years since Rajendra Chola’s naval expedition a campaign that once redrew the power dynamics of the region.

The roots of today’s dispute stretch back to the Khmer King Suryavarman I, under whose reign parts of the Preah Vihear complex were constructed. In the 11th century, Suryavarman faced resistance from the Tambralinga kingdom in what is now southern Thailand. Tambralinga, backed by the Sri Vijaya Empire, became a regional adversary.

At the same time, Rajendra Chola, ruler of the Chola Empire in southern India, had launched a maritime blitz against Sri Vijaya, disrupting its control across maritime Southeast Asia. Recognizing a strategic opportunity, Suryavarman I forged an alliance with Rajendra Chola.

This historic alignment shifted the balance of power. With Chola support, Suryavarman defeated his rivals. In a gesture of gratitude, he is said to have sent Rajendra Chola a magnificent war chariot a moment recorded in the Karandai Copper Plate inscriptions, which include Sanskrit verses praising this diplomatic and military collaboration.

Today, as bullets fly near the same temples those kings once built and fought over, the past and present collide. The Preah Vihear dispute may be framed as a modern territorial issue, but its roots lie deep in the region’s shared history of empire, religion, and power politics a history still unfolding on the border cliffs of Cambodia and Thailand.

 (This article is based on an X Thread By TS Krishnan) 

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post 1,000 Years Later: The Chola Connection To The Cambodia-Thailand War And PM Modi’s Visit To Gangaikonda Cholapuram appeared first on The Commune.

In a remarkable archaeological find, an 800-year-old Shiva temple has been unearthed in Udanpatti village near Melur, in Madurai district. The temple, which had been buried underground for centuries, came to light during routine excavation work in April this year.

Following the discovery, experts from the sculpture department, including archaeologist Arivu Selvam from the Devi Archaeological Research Centre, began a detailed investigation of the site. Their research has revealed stunning insights into the temple’s origins and historical significance.

Careful examination of statues and inscriptions at the site confirmed that the temple dates back to the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I, with inscriptions dated between 1217 and 1218 AD. The temple’s original name was identified as Thennavan Eeswaram, and the village of Udanpatti was historically known as Attur, according to the inscriptions found.

The architecture reflects the distinct style of the Pandya dynasty, with stone carvings and idol placements typical of that era. Notable idols found at the site include those of Lord Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, and Amman.

The discovery has drawn large numbers of locals and devotees, who are visiting the site in awe. Archaeologists consider this find a significant addition to Tamil Nadu’s rich temple heritage and continue to study the site for further insights.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post 800-Year-Old Shiva Temple Unearthed In Madurai: A Stunning Discovery From The Pandya Era appeared first on The Commune.

Earlier this week, the news of the DMK government demolishing a Shiva temple in Sriperumbudur, because it was built on government land was shared across news platforms.

Officials and police officers led by the Kanchipuram District Revenue officer, Paneer Selvam, went to a village called Killai in the Sriperumbudur Taluk of the Kanchipuram district and ordered the demolition of the Sivan Temple and the canteen that was allegedly situated on a government land.

Many questioned the double standards of the government asking if government can encroach on temple land what is wrong if it is vice-versa? Many were angered because the destruction happened overnight without proper procedure or information to stakeholders.

திருஞான சம்பந்தர் தபோவனம் – ஸ்ரீபெரும்புதூர் அருகில் உள்ள அழகிய கோவில்
@Sevakofmata & @RamananPr of @FreeTemples அங்கு சென்றடைந்தபோது மதியம் 1 மணியளவில் முழுமையாக இடிக்கப்பட்டது. சுற்றிலும் இடித்த குப்பைகள், ஒரு நாள் முன்பு அழகான சிலைகள். 63 நாயன்மார்கள், துர்க்கை அம்மன், pic.twitter.com/8Pw3OOo2dI

— Sevak Sathya (@Sevakofmata) November 26, 2021

Now, the local residents, devotees of the temple and the priests of the temple have started a protest against the unfair and hasty demolition of the Shiva temple. In a video that was shared on Twitter, one of the priests is seen saying that a bond for the land that the temple was built on was issued to them by the district Tahsildar. “The District Revenue Office did not even take a minute to see these papers,” he says showing the bond.

The priest also says that the officer did not look at the papers because he would not be able to demolish it then and therefore calls the demolition a planned conspiracy. The temple that was has been there for 17 years now was demolished within 12 hours time.

The priest also says, “Even the Mughals who attacked temples only took the property of the temples. But, this government has demolished this temple to its roots, leaving us helpless. We want an apology from the government and this temple will come back even if it is demolished 108 times.”

அன்பு மிகுந்த இந்து சமுதாய. பெரியோர்கள் சிறப்பு கவணத்திற்கு திமுக அரசு ஆட்சிக்கு வந்ததில் இருந்து 143 கோவில்களை இடித்து தரைமட்டமாக்கியுள்ளது கிருத்துவ மதவெறி கூட்டத்துடன் கூட்டு சேர்ந்து இந்து சமுதாயத்துக்கு எதிராக துணிந்து செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது இதன் தொடர்ச்சியாக. pic.twitter.com/CfhZmB7sZF

— Sevak Sathya (@Sevakofmata) November 29, 2021

This alleged illegal demolition comes at a time where news about a Church that is encroaching canal land in Kilkattalai is also being shared. The Church, that was marked by IAS Officer Amudha, 4 years back, is still not demolished, and continues to bother the residents of Kilkattalai because of water clogging.

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post “Sriperumbudur Sivan Temple was illegally demolished”: Temple priest shows docs for the land appeared first on The Commune.

Earlier this week, the news of the DMK government demolishing a Shiva temple in Sriperumbudur, because it was built on government land was shared across news platforms.

Officials and police officers led by the Kanchipuram District Revenue officer, Paneer Selvam, went to a village called Killai in the Sriperumbudur Taluk of the Kanchipuram district and ordered the demolition of the Sivan Temple and the canteen that was allegedly situated on a government land.

Many questioned the double standards of the government asking if government can encroach on temple land what is wrong if it is vice-versa?

திருஞான சம்பந்தர் தபோவனம் – ஸ்ரீபெரும்புதூர் அருகில் உள்ள அழகிய கோவில்
@Sevakofmata & @RamananPr of @FreeTemples அங்கு சென்றடைந்தபோது மதியம் 1 மணியளவில் முழுமையாக இடிக்கப்பட்டது. சுற்றிலும் இடித்த குப்பைகள், ஒரு நாள் முன்பு அழகான சிலைகள். 63 நாயன்மார்கள், துர்க்கை அம்மன், pic.twitter.com/8Pw3OOo2dI

— Sevak Sathya – மோடியின் குடும்பம் (@Sevakofmata) November 26, 2021

However a few weeks ago, a video of a young girl, addressing the Chief Minister about the water-logging in Kilkattalai, was being shared all over social media. The girl said in Tamil, “You’re currently looking at the Kilkattalai surplus water canal. The canal which is so wide here, is very narrow near the church there,” pointing at  a distance. She then added, “The Church has encroached almost 30ft of the canal’s space. Back in 2017 itself, IAS Officer Amudha marked this Church. It has been 4 years and yet the Church has not been brought down. Due to this reason, the Canal gets filled up and the Sunnambu Kollathur area gets flooded. Please save us atleast now, by bringing down the church.”

The point to be noted here is that the temple in Sriperumbudur was brought down over night on realised that it has encroached government land. However, this Church, that has been marked 4 years back by IAS officer Amudha, has still not been demolished by the government. Check out the tweet here:

மழை தந்த பாடம். இந்த வீடியோ மாதிரி எனக்கு இன்உ 26 வீடியோக்கள் வந்தது. இளைய தலைமுறை ஓட்டுக்கு இனி பணம் வாங்க மாட்டார்கள். அரசியல்வாதிகளை அடையாளம் கண்ட வாக்காளர்கள் அவதிபடுகின்றனர் 50 வருட இரண்டு திராவிட தலைமைகளுக்கு பாடம். That is why @annamalai_k is liked by aspirational youth. pic.twitter.com/1q7360Yt1G

— R. RAJAGOPALAN (@RAJAGOPALAN1951) November 11, 2021

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post DMK govt demolishes Sivan Temple located on lake side, doesn’t take action on Church built encroaching canal appeared first on The Commune.

There is a village called Killai in the Sriperumbudur Taluk of the Kanchipuram district. In that area, approximately 12.5 acres of stream outlying land near the lake have reportedly been encroached. When the occupied places were measured with old maps, it was found that an old Shiva temple and a canteen were built, occupying the stream land.

Following this, officials and Police officers led by the Kanchipuram District Revenue officer, Paneer Selvam, went to the spot and ordered the demolition of the Shiva temple and the canteen. As per orders, the Kanaka Kasivara temple’s walls, the water tank and the dining hall where devotees assembled to dine were all demolished. The work that was started on Nov 25th, was stopped for the night and continued on Nov 26th morning.

On knowing the matter, the local residents of the town approached the officials and engaged in an argument with them asking them not to demolish the temple. The Revenue officer who didn’t pay heed to the arguments, used the help of the police officers to dissemble them and went ahead with the demolishing of Kanakaambikai shrine, the Kanaka Kasivara who was in the Shiva Linga form and the temple tower (Gopuram).

திருஞான சம்பந்தர் தபோவனம் – ஸ்ரீபெரும்புதூர் அருகில் உள்ள அழகிய கோவில்
@Sevakofmata & @RamananPr of @FreeTemples அங்கு சென்றடைந்தபோது மதியம் 1 மணியளவில் முழுமையாக இடிக்கப்பட்டது. சுற்றிலும் இடித்த குப்பைகள், ஒரு நாள் முன்பு அழகான சிலைகள். 63 நாயன்மார்கள், துர்க்கை அம்மன், pic.twitter.com/8Pw3OOo2dI

— Sevak Sathya (@Sevakofmata) November 26, 2021

Devotees, who were shocked on learning the demolishing, engaged in arguments with the officials. On learning about the incident, BJP Tamil Nadu spokesperson Asuvathaman asked a few questions on twitter. Tweeting in Tamil, Asuvathaman asked, “When the government is built on temple property, why can’t temples be built on government property?” Check out the tweet here:

pic.twitter.com/gR7PLCDzAT

— A.Ashvathaman (@asuvathaman) November 26, 2021

(With inputs from Kathir News)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post DMK government demolishes Shiva temple near Sriperumbudur appeared first on The Commune.