Hindu Munnani has accused the ruling TVK government of failing to respect the law in the long-running dispute over lighting the Karthigai Deepam on the lamp pillar atop Thiruparankundram hill.
Speaking during a girivalam in Thiruparankundram, leader Kadeswara Subramaniam said the organisation has been pressing for the ritual for about four decades. He recalled that former state president Rajagopal was murdered and said a person named Poorana Chandran had recently died by suicide in connection with the issue.
He pointed to a ruling by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court last year that supported lighting the lamp on the pillar, and alleged the then DMK government did not implement it, leading officials to seek an apology in court.
Subramaniam said Chief Minister Vijay had earlier stated the government would act in a secular manner, but claimed the present administration has continued the earlier position. He also said the state told the court it would file an appeal, and alleged the government was hesitating due to minority vote-bank considerations, while also raising allegations of corruption in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department.
