The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has dismissed several petitions in the Thirupparankundram temple case and has pulled up the petitioners for creating discord among the communities. According to TNIE, the court also directed all concerned authorities to consider a petition to bring the temple under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) after consulting with all stakeholders.
A bench of Justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy heard petitions against the prohibitory orders imposed on the region and a police notice urging the public not to participate in any mass agitations. Dismissing the petitions, the judges said, “Even though the people of Thirupparankundram are not fighting each other, you will make them fight. It seems as if even if people are not fighting, you will file such petitions to make them fight.”
The judges also heard a third petition demanding that the temple be brought under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)—essentially bringing it under the control of the BJP-led Union government.
Controversy erupted earlier this year after police stopped animal sacrifices at a dargah on the same hill the temple is located, despite the practice having co-existed peacefully with Hindu worship at the temple for 200 years. The issues flared up following the involvement of Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai and the Hindu Munnani—a right wing outfit. Earlier, on February 4, the Hindu Munnani sought police permission to conduct a protest. However, permission was denied for the same, following which the group approached the Madurai bench of Madras High Court.
On February 3, the Madurai district collector imposed prohibitory orders across the district. Meanwhile, the court granted permission to the Hindu Munnani to hold demonstrations five kilometres away from the temple premises.
