On Saturday, January 18, the police halted Islamist groups, including the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI)—the political arm of the banned terrorist group Popular Front of India (PFI)—from performing animal sacrifices (Qurbani) in Madurai Hill, located in Thirparankundram city, Tamil Nadu.
This action followed a petition by Solaikannan, the Madurai district president of the Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK), to Police Commissioner Loganathan. Solaikannan urged the authorities to prevent Islamic groups from slaughtering goats and chickens at the Sikandar Badushah dargah, situated on the sacred Madurai Hill, which also houses the famous Murugan Temple.
Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy Temple hill in Madurai, Images via News9
In his plea, Solaikannan stressed that the Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy Temple hill in Madurai is a historic and highly significant site for Hindus, where the community has long practiced girivalam (circumambulation) during every full moon.
On Saturday, a group of Muslims, led by Islamic Jamath leaders, attempted to perform Qurbani at the hill for a feast at the dargah. However, the police blocked their entry, as the dargah permits only prayers, not animal sacrifice.
According to a TOI report, last week, Islamic groups held discussions with district administration officials, including revenue officers, requesting permission for sacrificial rituals at the Sikandar Badushah dargah. The Madurai district administration, however, permitted only prayers at the site.
Members of the Hindu Munnani protested the Muslim groups' efforts to sacrifice animals on the hill, one of Lord Murugan's six sacred abodes. They claimed that Muslims were attempting to convert the site into an Islamic place of worship.
BJP state president K Annamalai commented that Thiruparankundram Hill holds immense Hindu historical significance as Lord Murugan’s first sacred abode. He also pointed out that some were referring to the hill as Sikandar malai (hill) and accused the ruling DMK of appeasing Muslims. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace atop Thiruparankundram Hill, regardless of religious affiliations.
The controversy began on December 27, 2024, when some Muslims tried to bring goats and chickens to the Dargah on Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple Hill for sacrifice. Police intervened, declaring the area, which is an important Hindu site, off-limits for such activities. Syed Abu Dahir, a resident of Malaiyadipatti, and his family were stopped by officials at the base of the hill, sparking a solidarity protest from over 20 Muslims.
Earlier this month, more than 100 members of the Sikandar Mosque Committee and Aiyykiya Kootamaippu Jamath were temporarily detained after they demanded the opening of the mosque and the right to offer namaz there. The protesting Islamist groups claimed that Sultan Sikandar had constructed the Sikandar Badushah Thozhugai Pallivasal about 400 years ago.
Subramaniya Swamy Temple: The Custodian of Thiruparankundram Hill
At the peak of Thiruparankundran Hill, you can find the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a lamp post, and a sacred Kallathi tree. According to the Commune, during the British era, the First Additional Subordinate Court ruled that the Thiruparankundram hill belongs to the Subramania Swamy Temple. Since 2011, the Islamist group SDPI has been protesting the installation of a flag near the lamppost on the hill and is now attempting to perform Qurbani there. This move is perceived as an attempt to assert dominance over the hill, which is a Hindu religious site, and to transform it into an Islamic one.
In his petition, Solaikannan of the Indu Makkal Katchi (IMK) argued that allowing Muslims to perform Qurbani on the hill would disrespect the sanctity of the Saivite sacred site. He also suggested that to protect the Jain temples and inscriptions in the area, the entire region should be placed under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Department, according to the Commune report.
Local Hindus have claimed that parts of the hill have been gradually encroached upon by Muslims under the guise of religious festivals. Furthermore, the Tamil Nadu government's HR&CE Department has been accused of appeasing Muslims, which is believed to have fueled rising communal tensions.
SDPI, the political wing of the banned radical group Popular Front of India (PFI), has been involved in multiple incidents of promoting communal hatred, especially against Hindus. In November, it was reported that a former SDPI member was arrested in Coimbatore for attempting to convert a mother and daughter to Islam. Security experts have warned that individuals affiliated with banned terror groups often rebrand their organizations or join others, leading to calls for terrorists to be prosecuted under UAPA.
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