Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) P.K. Sekarbabu on Saturday said attempts were made to create a situation of conflict between two religions over the lighting of a lamp atop Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai, but those attempts did not fructify.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Mr. Sekarbabu said the Tamil Nadu government respects court orders and functions according to law. “The objective of the State government is to prevent caste and religious conflicts. Court orders in 1920, 1930, 1996, 2014 and 2017 have affirmed that the Karthigai deepam should be lit only at the location where it has been lit for more than 100 years,” he said.
“Peace is the spiritual path, not Sanatan. Some believe they can create unwanted situations in Tamil Nadu for political purposes. This is the land where Ramanuja lived, a land that belongs to everyone. Under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s rule, divisive forces will never take root. Such forces will be suppressed with an iron hand. The State government will take successive legal steps and ensure the rule of law,” he said.
Mr. Sekarbabu alleged that the AIADMK was taking positions based on directions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and abandoned its principles. “In 2014 and 2017, the then AIADMK government filed affidavits in court refusing permission to light the lamp at an alternative location in Thirupparankundram. Now, they are saying that the State government should allow lighting of the lamp at another location. This is hypocrisy. They have surrendered their principles to the BJP,” he added.
Published – December 07, 2025 01:02 am IST
