Chennai (Tamil Nadu) – A brewing controversy has engulfed the sacred Thiruparankundram Hill, as both overt and covert efforts have allegedly been underway to transform this Hindu holy site into an Islamic ‘Sikandar Hill.’ This move, which has sparked widespread outrage among Hindu organizations and political leaders, highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the preservation of religious heritage in Tamil Nadu.

The hill, considered sacred by Hindus, now hosts a dargah that Muslims have constructed. What has drawn attention and raised suspicions is that the architectural design and the pillars of this dargah bear a striking resemblance to a Hindu temple, suggesting encroachment of a once-Hindu structure.

Amidst this contentious backdrop, K Nawaz Kani, a Member of Parliament from Ramanathapuram District, has landed at the center of the storm. Recently, he visited the site and reportedly consumed non-vegetarian biryani on the hill. This act, seen as a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the site, has triggered a backlash from the BJP and Hindu organizations, who accuse him of disrespecting Hindu traditions.

Nawaz Kani, however, dismissed these allegations, targeting BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai in a direct challenge. “He (Annamalai) made false accusations. He said that I went to Thiruparankundram temple and ate biryani. I never went to the hill or ate non-vegetarian (food),” claimed Nawaz Kani in his defense.

The MP from Ramanathapuram went a step further, asserting that BJP leaders K Annamalai, L Murugan, and Vanathi Srinivasan had fabricated the accusations. Speaking to India Today, he stated, “BJP leaders Annamalai, L Murugan and Vanathi Srinivasan are falsely accusing me of having non-vegetarian food in temple premises. If Annamalai is unable to prove his allegation, is he willing to resign?”

Yet, in a twist that has added to the controversy, Nawaz Kani’s statements appeared inconsistent. While he categorically denied visiting the hill or consuming non-vegetarian food, his earlier remarks to India Today revealed a contradiction. On Thursday, he acknowledged, “I didn’t eat non-vegetarian food, but someone else did.” This inconsistency has raised questions about the veracity of his defense, further fueling the outrage.

This issue has drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders, with Annamalai emphasizing the need to protect the sacred site’s sanctity and heritage. Hindu organizations have also condemned the alleged encroachment, accusing Nawaz Kani and his associates of disrespecting Hindu sentiments.

The unfolding developments have placed Nawaz Kani under increasing scrutiny. His actions, coupled with his conflicting statements, have only strengthened the resolve of BJP leaders like Annamalai to expose what they call an attack on Hindu culture.

The controversy surrounding non-vegetarian food at the sacred Thiruparankundram Hill took a dramatic turn recently when the Tamil Nadu police intervened to stop the transportation of animals to the hill. The intervention was reportedly aimed at preventing animal sacrifices on the hill, which sparked a heated standoff between the local community and the authorities.

Amid the chaos, K Nawaz Kani, who is also the Tamil Nadu Wakf Board chairman, commented on the situation, stating, “They have stopped it temporarily. The police and the district administration are conducting an enquiry to see if animal sacrifice was prevalent earlier, if so they will allow it.” 

The land dispute surrounding the Wakf board has also been brought to the forefront. Kani asserted, “Fifty per cent of land and the durgah belongs to the Waqf board and it is published in the Government gazette.” This claim has been met with skepticism and opposition from Hindu organizations, who argue that the sacred hill's heritage is being systematically undermined under the guise of legal ownership.

The issue gained widespread attention when BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai took to social media platform X to voice his concerns. He accused Kani of using divisive tactics to stir unrest. “In particular, Mr. Nawaz Gani, a Member of Parliament ... ate non-vegetarian food, in order to incite division between the two parties, which is not only a completely wrong act, but also an act that causes religious unrest,” Annamalai wrote in a strongly worded post.

Annamalai did not stop at social media. Speaking to India Today, he emphasized the peaceful nature of Hindu communities and criticized the actions of Nawaz Kani. “Hindus are a peace-loving community. This MP went up the hill and ate non-vegetarian food. This is very unfortunate. Appeasement politics have taken hold,” he said, pointing to what he called a pattern of deliberate provocations aimed at disturbing communal harmony.

The BJP and Hindu organizations have continued to criticize Kani's actions, accusing him of not only disrespecting the sacredness of Thiruparankundram Hill but also fueling division with his comments and actions.

The Government’s Support for the Violation of Court Orders

Despite a clear Court ruling declaring the Thiruparankundram Hill as belonging to a Hindu temple, encroachments by Muslims have continued unabated. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Government has allowed such blatant violations to persist, drawing criticism from various quarters. Adding to the tension, plans for a large Muslim gathering at the site on 18th February have further fueled the controversy. The lack of concern from political leaders in Tamil Nadu over this issue has left many Hindu organizations disheartened, as they struggle to protect the sanctity of the sacred hill.

Prominent Hindu organizations, including the Bharat Hindu Munnani, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have raised their voices in strong opposition to these developments. R D Prabhu, founder of Bharat Hindu Munnani, has openly condemned the encroachment and is working tirelessly to raise awareness among Hindus about this injustice. Tamil Nadu BJP leader Mr. Radhakrishnan has also expressed his protest through his Facebook account, rallying support to defend the hill’s heritage.

K Annamalai, BJP Tamil Nadu Chief, has strongly criticized the actions of Nawaz Kani and emphasized the importance of respecting the sanctity of temples and places of worship in Tamil Nadu. “For centuries, the people of Tamil Nadu have been living in social harmony and respecting the worship methods of all religions. However, Nawaz Kani’s actions were an attempt to spoil this harmony,” Annamalai alleged. He urged all communities to abandon divisive activities and continue the brotherly practices that have defined the region’s history.

Annamalai further highlighted the historical significance of the Thiruparankundram Subramania Swamy Temple, stating that it was built by the Pandya kings many centuries before the emergence of several modern religions. He called Nawaz Kani’s actions “foolish” and “completely unacceptable,” pointing out that they undermined Tamil Nadu’s long-standing tradition of social harmony.

Protests and Police Action

The controversy surrounding Nawaz Kani’s visit to the Thiruparankundram Hill has sparked widespread outrage among Hindu organizations. Protests led by these groups have pushed the authorities to take action. In response, the police have banned the Kanduri worship at the Sikandar Badusha Dargah, which involves sacrificing goats and chickens, on the sacred hill. However, prayers at the dargah have been allowed to continue.

In an attempt to address the growing unrest, Nawaz Kani visited the site and met with the Madurai City Police Commissioner and the District Collector. He urged the authorities to resolve the issue amicably and ensure harmony at the site. Kani emphasized, “Steps should be taken to maintain social harmony and ensure that people of all religions can visit the dargah without any problems.”

While Kani’s call for harmony may seem conciliatory, the actions leading up to the current situation have drawn sharp criticism from BJP leaders and Hindu organizations. They argue that such incidents not only disrespect Hindu sentiments but also threaten to disturb the delicate balance of social peace in Tamil Nadu.

Thiruparankundram Temple Row: BJP Leader Vellore Ibrahim’s Arrest Sparks Tensions in Madurai

Madurai’s Jaihindpuram area witnessed heightened tensions following the arrest of Vellore Ibrahim, the national secretary of the BJP minority wing. The arrest took place while Ibrahim was on his way to Thiruparankundram Hill, which has become a flashpoint for controversy due to the slaughter of goats and chickens by Muslims at the Sikandar Dargah located on the sacred hill.

The issue initially escalated when authorities intervened to stop Muslims from performing animal sacrifices at the dargah, triggering protests from both Hindu and Islamic organizations. The already volatile situation was further inflamed after Ramanathapuram MP Nawaz Kani was reportedly seen eating non-vegetarian food on the Thiruparankundram Hill, an act that has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from Hindu groups.

Vellore Ibrahim’s Arrest Triggers BJP Protest in Madurai

Vellore Ibrahim’s arrest followed a series of heated exchanges and protests. While attending an event in Madurai district, Ibrahim had announced his intention to visit the mosque on the hill for worship. However, his plans were met with resistance from police officers, leading to a heated argument. The situation took a dramatic turn when Ibrahim, who was staying at a hostel in Jaihindpuram, expressed his outrage by hitting a photo of Nawaz Kani with his shoe in protest. Following this act, he was promptly arrested by the police.

The arrest of Ibrahim prompted a swift and strong reaction from BJP members. Outraged by the detention of their leader, party workers staged a protest demanding Ibrahim’s immediate release. They blocked the road at the Jaihindpuram police station gate, leading to a chaotic scene as tensions flared. Police intervened to control the situation and disperse the crowd, resulting in the arrest of two BJP members who participated in the protest. This incident has left the Jaihindpuram area in a state of unrest, with tensions running high between different groups.

Earlier, Ibrahim had publicly condemned Nawaz Kani’s actions, accusing the MP of deliberately trying to offend Hindu sentiments. Ibrahim stated, “The MP’s sole intention was to hurt Hindus.” He further demanded that Nawaz Kani resign immediately, pointing to Kani’s admission of eating non-vegetarian food on the sacred temple hill. Ibrahim emphasized that such actions amounted to defiling the Muruga temple, a site of immense religious significance for Hindus.

“Navaskani must apologize to the public for his actions and defiling the sanctity of the temple,” Ibrahim declared, reflecting the strong sentiments among BJP members and Hindu organizations.