CHENNAI: The BJP on Monday accused the ruling DMK government of adopting a discriminatory approach in granting permissions for religious events at the Tirupparankundram hill, alleging selective curbs on Hindu rituals despite court directions.
In a statement, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran said the State government prevented the lighting of the traditional Karthigai Deepam on the Deepa Thoongal at Tirupparankundram even after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had issued clear directions allowing the ritual. At the same time, he said, the government granted permission for the hoisting of the ceremonial flag for the Sandhanakoodu festival at the Sikandar Dargah located on the same hill.
Calling the decision deeply condemnable, Nainar Nagenthran alleged that the move reflected the DMK government's bias against Hindu religious practices and amounted to a deliberate denial of long-established worship rights. He said the issue went beyond matters of faith and touched upon the cultural and religious rights of Tamils.
The BJP leader questioned the grounds cited by the authorities, who had flagged potential law-and-order concerns to justify stopping the lighting of the lamp, even if it were to be carried out by a limited number of persons under Central security cover. He asked how the same administration could provide security arrangements overnight to allow the Sandhanakoodu flag-hoisting ceremony to proceed.

Emphasising that communal harmony had historically prevailed in Tirupparankundram, Nainar said Hindus had no objection to Muslims celebrating their religious festivals, just as Hindu rituals on the hill did not pose any threat to the Muslim community. He accused the DMK of unnecessarily intervening in peaceful religious practices and of attempting to create divisions between communities for political gain.