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  • 6 weeks ago
In this report from Madurai, India Today Senior Editor Pramod Madhav details the escalating tension at the Thiruparankundram hill shrine over the Karthikai Deepam celebrations. A political war of words has erupted between the ruling DMK and the NDA after police stopped devotees from lighting the holy lamp at the ancient 'Deepathoon' pillar, located near the Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badushah Dargah. While the Madras High Court had earlier permitted the ritual, the state government challenged the decision citing law and order concerns. Protesters have accused the Stalin government of 'double standards' for allowing the Sandanakoodu festival at the Dargah while blocking the Hindu ritual. The report also features strong political allegations claiming the DMK is using the issue to consolidate votes for Udhayanidhi Stalin in Chepauk.
Transcript
00:00But speaking of Tiruk Parankundram, we've seen a lot of developments taking place.
00:04It's been the flashpoint of controversy.
00:06And again, there was a huge issue that was raised.
00:10You had, in fact, demonstrators accusing the Stalin government of double standards,
00:14noting that the rituals and the bull-drawn chariot procession were permitted at the Dargah, right next to the temple.
00:20And that led to late-night tension at the shrine, triggering a political war of efforts.
00:30Madurai's Tiruk Parankundram hill shrine witnessed 10 scenes over Kartikai Deepam.
00:49Protesters argued with the police after being stopped from lighting the Deepam at the ancient hilltop stone pillar,
00:55called the Deepatun, despite citing court orders.
01:03Finally, a woman lit the lamp outside the closed temple after police denied.
01:14Protesters allege double standards by Stalin government,
01:17claiming authorities allowed rituals and the bull-drawn chariot procession
01:22for the adjoining Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badusha Dargah while blocking Kartikai Deepam.
01:29The face-off led to late-night drama at the Holy Shrine.
01:35A war of words between the DMK and NDA has erupted over Kartikai Deepam celebrations.
01:40They want to change, they want to change the peaceful atmosphere of the state of Tamil Nadu.
01:49They want it to become a violent place where people clash on the basis of religion,
01:56which our chief minister, Mr. MK Stalin, will not allow.
02:00The evil designs, the evil intentions of the VJP and the RSS
02:04will not be allowed to be carried out in the state of Tamil Nadu.
02:08Tiruparam-Kundram issue for DMK is the only hope for Uday Nidhi to win.
02:14So they have narrowed it down in such a way,
02:16they have cleverly strategised in such a way that
02:19just by appeasing one section of the people,
02:22the prospect of Uday Nidhi winning if he contests in Chapak is brighter.
02:27The Madras High Court had earlier directed the lighting of the lamp,
02:30but the state government challenged the decision, citing law and order concerns.
02:38Tiruparam-Kundram Rao has once again been ignited after government permits
02:42Sandhanakudu Vida at Sikandar Darga over the particular hill.
02:47However, now locals are questioning that on one side,
02:50when the lamp lighting on Deebathun was not allowed,
02:53how could the government permit this for which the government claims
02:56that this is being done as per the tradition
02:59and the main matter is yet being contested in the court.
03:03With Irfan, promote modern for you today.
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