Tirupparankundram row: T.N. govt. too soft on religious and caste outfits inciting trouble, says Selvaperunthagai

Addressing media in Chennai, Selvaperunthagai alleged the TN government had been too soft on religious and caste outfits that have been trying to cause disturbances in society, be it in the Ayodhya Mandapam issue or the Thanjavur Lavanya case.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai on Wednesday (February 5, 2025) said that leaders and cadre of his party would offer prayers at the Subramania Swamy Temple as well as the Sikkandar Badusha Dargah in Tirupparankundram in Madurai, where the Hindu Munnani had mobilised supporters claiming there were attempts to rename the hillock as ‘Sikkandar Malai’.

Addressing journalists in Chennai, Mr. Selvaperunthagai alleged the State government had been too soft on religious and caste outfits that have been trying to cause disturbances in society, be it in the Ayodhya Mandapam issue or the Thanjavur Lavanya case.

“After causing riots in Ayodhya and losing support in Ayodhya in the previous Lok Sabha elections, the group is now creating trouble in Tirupparankundram. In north India, religious politics [Sangh Parivar] is losing its sheen; now, they are trying to destroy religious harmony and create a riot-like situation by bringing people from outside to act against the interests of people living in Tirupparankundram,” Mr. Selvaperunthagai claimed.

“The CM [M.K. Stalin] believes in democracy, but what is the need to be soft on religious and caste forces when they try to incite trouble,” he asked.

Mr. Selvaperunthagai added: “We will be offering prayers at Tirupparankundram and Sikkandar Badusha. We are at a point where we have to start a campaign for religious harmony across Tamil Nadu. The State government should be vigilant.”

According to him, Sangh Parivar forces are trying to stall the growth of Tamil Nadu at a time when FDI, production, exports, and revolution in education are taking place in the State. “People will teach a lesson to those who try to mix religion and politics,” he said.

“When L. Murugan was BJP State president, he went around Tamil Nadu with a ‘vel’ in his hand, but he lost badly in the elections. This time too, they [the BJP] will meet the same fate as they try to win the Tirupparankundram seat.”