T.N. government opposes Hindu Munnani's Lord Murugan conference in Madurai; cites Bengaluru stampede

The Hindu

2 days ago

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday (June 9, 2025) opposed the Hindu Munnani's plea for extended pre-event celebrations ahead of the Murugan devotee conference in Madurai, informing the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that it apprehended potential law and order issues and 'a situation like the recent stampede in Bengaluru'.
Hence, it was willing to grant permission for only three days to the outfit for installing temporary miniatures of the six abodes of Lord Murugan at the 'Muruga Bakthargalin Aanmeega Maanadu'.
The Hindu Munnani, represented by State secretary S. Muthukumar, had filed a petition before the High Court seeking a direction to the police to grant permission for installing miniatures of the six abodes of Lord Murugan at Amma Thidal near the Vandiyur toll gate and conducting pujas.
The petitioner said the Hindu Munnani had decided to arrange a gathering of devotees of Lord Murugan on June 22. The miniatures of 'Arupadai Veedugal' were planned to be installed at the venue from June 10 to June 22. Pujas would be performed and prasadam would be distributed to the devotees, he said, adding that the Sthalapuranam of the six abodes would be displayed and devotees would chant Kanda Shashti Kavacham and Thiruppugazh. Spiritual and cultural programmes would be held at the venue, which is a private land, and the land owner had given his consent, he said.
A representation was made to the Madurai City Police for permission to use sound amplifiers at the event. A representation was also made for arranging darshan of the miniatures from June 10 to June 22. The police rejected permission for using microphone sets and installing miniatures and temporary models, the petitioner said. He alleged that a police team went to the place where the miniatures were being made and threatened workers and volunteers not to proceed with the work.
He sought a direction to the police to grant permission for installing the miniatures of the six abodes of Lord Murugan at the venue and conducting the pujas.
The government told the court that the Hindu Munnani had not responded to all the questions put forth by the police. The organisation, however, submitted that it had done so. Justice B. Pugalendhi directed the Hindu Munnani to furnish its response to the questions and the police to take a decision by June 12. The court permitted the petitioner to proceed with making the miniatures. However, no puja shall be conducted for now, the court said. It posted the matter for hearing on June 13.