In a large-scale crackdown, Tamil Nadu police have arrested thousands of people across the state as reported in Dinamalar to prevent their participation in a planned charity march to Thiruparankundram Hill. Several leaders of the BJP and Hindu Munnani, including senior BJP leader H. Raja and Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramanian, have been placed under house arrest.
The Hindu Munnani had organized the march to protest against alleged encroachments and reported animal sacrifices at Thiruparankundram Hill, a site revered as belonging to Lord Muruga. However, citing security concerns and the risk of communal tensions, the police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Madurai for two days.
Statewide Arrests And Detentions
Police have conducted a sweeping operation across Tamil Nadu, placing Hindu Munnani and BJP leaders under house arrest and detaining thousands of workers who were attempting to reach Thiruparankundram.
- Karaikudi, Sivaganga District – BJP leader H. Raja was placed under house arrest.
- Tiruppur – Hindu Munnani state president Katheeswara Subramanian was arrested along with hundreds of supporters. A protest erupted in response, leading to road blockades.
- Nellai – Hindu Munnani state secretary Courtala Nathan was arrested.
- Coimbatore, Trichy, and Virudhunagar – Several BJP and Hindu Munnani functionaries were detained, with some locked up in private halls.
- Madurai – A heavy police force was deployed, with vehicles heading towards the protest site being stopped and searched.
Security Measures And Police Deployment
To prevent the march, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed:
- 3000 police personnel led by Commissioner Loganathan.
- Five Superintendents of Police (SPs), three Additional Deputy Superintendents of Police (ADSPs), and 13 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) from other districts.
Additionally, the Madurai Adheenam, a prominent Hindu monastery, was barred from leaving the mutt, effectively preventing their participation in the protest.
Hindu Munnani and BJP leaders strongly condemned the crackdown, alleging that the DMK-led government was suppressing their religious rights. They accused certain Muslim organizations of attempting to rename Thiruparankundram as “Sikandar Hill” and promoting religious violence.
“This is an outrageous attack on our right to worship. The police have stormed into the homes of our leaders and placed them under house arrest, stopping them from even visiting temples,” a Hindu Munnani spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders accused the police of acting under political pressure to curb Hindu organizations while allowing other religious groups to function freely.
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