A Tamil Nadu government doctor has triggered widespread outrage after publicly describing Hindu devotees and protesters at Thirupparankundram as “Sanghi terrorists,” accusing them of attempting to “do a Babri Masjid” near a local Dargah during the Karthigai Deepam celebrations.
Dr. Jaison Philip, an MS, MCh surgeon, posted the remarks on X (formerly Twitter), where he claimed that those demanding the lighting of the Deepam at the Deepathoon, as directed by the Madras High Court, were “terrorists” attempting to provoke communal unrest. His comments referred to the events of December 3, when protests erupted after the temple administration failed to comply with the Court’s order to light the lamp at the ancient stone pillar in addition to the traditional site.
In his post, Dr. Philip wrote, “Sanghi terrorists had tried to do a Babri Masjid in peaceful Tamilnadu yesterday, at Thirupparankundram. The terrorists tried to light a Deepam near a Muslim Durgah… The secular Govt of the Honourable CM Mr. M.K. Stalin acted with great sagacity and administrative acumen, & averted the terrorist plot to instigate Hindu–Muslim riots.”
He further praised the district administration for ensuring that the lamp was lit only at the traditional Uchipillaiyar Temple site, writing that “bloodshed and huge riots were averted.”
The remarks drew sharp criticism from social media users, legal observers, and Hindu devotional groups, who accused the doctor, who is employed under the Tamil Nadu government, of defaming peaceful devotees and falsely framing a centuries-old ritual as an extremist act.
Critics noted that the High Court had explicitly permitted the Deepam to be lit at the Deepathoon based on historical precedent and after the nearby Dargah had expressed no objection to the ritual. The controversy arose only after the temple administration failed to execute the court order, leading to clashes with police.
As per dravidian stocks, Murugan is a ‘Tamil’ god. However, even Tamils can’t worship Murugan, can’t light a lamp on a sacred hill near the Murugan Temple. Now ‘Tamils’ who worship Murugan are also ‘Sanghi’ terrorists.
Conversion creates elements hostile to the native tradition. https://t.co/C6x94GlKbY
— Vishnu (@Aatmaraman) December 4, 2025
The TN Govt violated the order of the Madras HC which had allowed lighting the lamp in its rightful place, the deepathoon (the pillar for the lamp).
For a 100 years, the peacefuls haven’t let Hs practice the tradition as it was supposed to be.
Bloody lying 🍚 🛍️ of @arivalayam https://t.co/xAVWpUbMtF pic.twitter.com/hXZXAUSL5k
— भारतीय! (@ResilientBharat) December 4, 2025
Why should lighting Deepam in Deepathoon (even if it is near a sudden Dargah on the sacred hill) create communal tensions at all?
Look at Thooya Anthoniyaar Church where Deepams are lighted within the premises itself. Isn’t this the shining example of the secular fabric of TN? https://t.co/2NBAmjgpcW pic.twitter.com/B48b5LI3df
— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) December 4, 2025
Calling devotees of Murugan as terrorists is how these people are trained to brainwash people. https://t.co/oU9SpRpfzB
— Vignesh (@cviignesh) December 4, 2025
Many netizens questioned how a state-employed medical professional could publicly label Hindu citizens as “terrorists,” especially when they were seeking enforcement of a judicial directive.
You may be a doctor, but hate has consumed you. Hindus had legal permission to light lamp at the ancient pillar. The spot is 50 metres away from the dargah & yet police illegally stopped the people.
And using the word terrorist for ordinary protesters. #Thirupparankundram https://t.co/DEdq1zIRKH
— Vivekanand Ojha (@v_ojha) December 4, 2025
The Thirupparankundram Deepam issue exploded into statewide debate after the Madras High Court ruled that the lamp must be lit at both the traditional temple site and the Deepathoon stone pillar. Devotees stated that the HR&CE Department and local police blocked compliance, citing law-and-order concerns.
Following the non-compliance, protests broke out at the hill, Section 144 was imposed, and police arrested several participants.
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