MADURAI: Union minister of state L Murugan visited the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple on Saturday and later climbed the hill to offer prayers at the Kasi Viswanathar shrine.
However, citing security concerns, the police permitted only five individuals to accompany him, leading to a heated exchange. Murugan questioned the police’s authority to restrict a Union minister and warned of consequences. The brief standoff caused tension in the area before he proceeded with the visit.
Speaking to reporters after his visit, Murugan alleged that “unwanted activities” were taking place on Thiruparankundram Hill, a sacred site for Hindus. He urged the Tamil Nadu government and police to take immediate action and arrest those responsible.
He referenced a 1931 court verdict, which, he claimed, declared the entire hill—except for a 33-cent portion—as belonging to Lord Murugan.
“However, in 1983, Tamil Nadu revenue records wrongly referred to it as Sikandar Malai. The hill should only be called Thiruparankundram Malai,” he asserted.
Murugan also demanded that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department make arrangements to conduct the Karthigai Deepam festival atop the hill. Citing a 1994 High Court ruling, he said, “The HR&CE Department should respect the court’s direction and ensure that the festival is conducted.”
The minister further emphasised that Thiruparankundram is a Shaivite shrine and opposed any form of animal sacrifice in the area. “In rural traditions, sacrifices are made to guardian deities like Karuppasamy and Madurai Veeran. However, such practices have never existed in Murugan temples or other Shaivite-Vaishnavite shrines,” he said.
“If anyone has attempted or conducted such acts on the hill, the Tamil Nadu government must take strict action and arrest them,” he added. Murugan also criticised the recent police action against Hindu leaders, stating that they were being arrested simply for raising their voices on the issue.
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