Latest news with #MuruganConference
India Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Alliance in danger, not religion: MK Stalin slams BJP-AIADMK for divisive politics
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday hit out at the BJP and AIADMK, accusing them of trying to divide the people of the state by repeatedly claiming that religion is under threat. His remarks come days after the Murugan Conference in Madurai, where several BJP leaders made statements invoking in Thirupathur, Stalin said, 'Attempts are being continuously made to divide the people of Tamil Nadu in the name of religion and caste. When they fail, they include AIADMK in this.'advertisementStalin claimed that while his party highlights national and people-centric issues, the BJP and AIADMK focus on religion. 'They tried gimmicks like missed calls to attract people. When that didn't work, they started misusing God's name. But this is Tamil Nadu, the land of Periyar, cherished by Anna and retrieved by Kalaignar. People will not fall for their false devotion,' he Chief Minister also pointed out that the DMK government has taken several steps for the welfare of all religions.'In the past four years, kumbabishekam (a temple consecration ceremony) was done for 3,000 temples. Rs 84 crore was spent on the betterment of churches and mosques,' Stalin said, adding that those doing religious politics are unable to tolerate a dig at the AIADMK, Stalin condemned the party for remaining silent when Periyar and Anna were allegedly insulted during the Murugan are showing videos mocking these leaders, while the party that carries Anna's name watches it silently with folded hands. They have pledged the name of Anna. If we don't stop them now, they will pledge Tamil Nadu tomorrow,' Stalin warned, urging people to teach them a further alleged that the Union government's schemes are designed to burden the states. 'For a scheme where Rs 1.70 lakh is sanctioned, 40 per cent has to be borne by the state. Funds are not given properly,' he said.'The real danger is not to religion but to the NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu,' Stalin said.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Thiruparankundram hill: Madras HC delivers split verdict on animal sacrifice
The Madurai bench of the Madras high court delivered a split verdict on a batch of pleas filed involving the Thiruparankundram Hill which was in the spotlight during the Murugan conference after right wing groups took offence to meat eating on the hilltop which has both a Murugan temple and a dargah. Madurai: People attend the Murugan Conference, in Madurai, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (PTI) The different pleas sought renaming the Thiruparankundram hill as Sikander hill, renaming the Samanar (Jain) hill, permitting animal sacrifice, and construction work. The bench comprising justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy were in agreement that the hill cannot be renamed and a clutch of other issues but they differed on animal sacrifice. Justice Banu permitted animal sacrifices saying it is a religious practice of both Hindu and Muslim communities while justice Srimathy banned it saying that there is no proof of this being an ancient religious practice. 'Article 25 of the Constitution of India confers the right to freedom of religion which includes 'practice'… in the absence of any law prohibiting animal sacrifice, which is a part of religious practice, there cannot be any order by this court restraining such activity,' justice Banu said in the verdict delivered on June 24. 'Moreover, the Dargah is located on the southern side peak of the Thirupparankundram Hill, while the Subramaniya Swamy Temple and Kasi Viswanathar Temple are situated at different locations. Thus, no religious practices of one community impinge upon the sacred spaces of another,' justice Banu said. 'Given that ritual animal sacrifices are traditionally performed in multiple Hindu temples across the Madurai region, a blanket prohibition would amount to discriminatory enforcement. Animal Sacrifice, being an established religious practice, is observed not only in the Dargah but also in several hindu Temples across the country, and therefore the same cannot be selectively banned,' she said. However, justice Srimathy said that there was no evidence to prove that the practice of animal sacrifice was established for a long time. 'Interestingly it is seen that there is no meat stall in Sannadhi Street, around 300 meters from the temple there is no meat stall, there is no broiler chicken stall for more than 300 meters,' justice Srimathy said. 'In fact most of the marriage halls in Tiruparankundram do not allow non vegetarian cooking at all. All these facts state how the devotees protect the holiness of the Tiruparankundram Hill and the Subramaniya Swamy Temple,' she said. 'The Tirupanrankundram Hill shall not be called either as Sikkandar Malai or as Samanar Kundru,' the bench of the two justices said in the order. 'The Dargah is directed to approach the Civil Court to establish their practice of animal sacrifice as well as prayer during Ramzan, Bakr-eid and other Muslim festivals prevailing prior to the order in 1920,' the verdict said. The bench directed the state to permit the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the hill and demarcate the protected monuments, dargah and the temple and submit a report to the court within a year. The 107-page verdict was reserved on April 30 and delivered on June 24 and the matter has been referred to the chief justice of the Madras HC for a tie breaker verdict.
India Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
DMK slams AIADMK after video at Hindu group meeting ‘insults' Dravidian icons
The AIADMK in Tamil Nadu responded with a statement clarifying their stance, after the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) condemned the disrespect of Dravidian leaders CN Annadurai and EV 'Periyar' Ramaswamy in a video shown at a Hindu group-organised Sunday, a BJP and Hindu Munnani-aligned Murugan devotees' conference was held in Madurai, where a video was played which allegedly criticised the icons of Dravidian AIADMK leaders, including Sellur Raju and Rajendra Balaji, attended the event. Their presence drew heavy criticism, especially from the DMK, which accused the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) of betraying its Dravidian roots. DMK Organisational Secretary RS Bharathi slammed the AIADMK over the slight and accused the rival party of aligning with Hindutva forces and questioning its loyalty to Dravidian values.'If AIADMK is enjoying criticism of Anna, is your blood AIADMK or BJP,' he asked. 'Will you remain motionless even if your mother or wife is criticised?'Asking whether the AIADMK replace the 'Anna' in their name with 'Amit Shah', Bharathi said: 'After Murugan Conference, RSS Centenary celebrations, will (Edappadi K) Palanisamy take refuge in Nagpur? AIADMK has dissolved in Hindutva.'The AIADMK distanced itself from the video and issued a statement condemning any disrespect toward Periyar and Anna. It claimed its leaders were unaware of the content being shown at the party asserted that Dravidian ideology was 'mixed in its partymen's blood' and clarified that although its leaders participated in the conference, they did not endorse the resolutions or the pledges taken there.'The visuals of Thanthai Periyar and Anna shown in the conference is not acceptable and we express deep condemnation against it,' AIADMK said in a statement, adding that they didn't know such a video was being shown to the public, until it was revealed in the media.- Ends
India Today
23-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu Minister mocks BJP's Murugan conference, questions meet's intent
Tamil Nadu Minister PK Sekar Babu on Monday hit out at the BJP over the recently concluded Murugan Conference in Madurai district, questioning its intent and ridiculing the involvement of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan to criticism levelled by BJP leaders and the show of strength at the conference, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Sekar Babu dismissed it as an internal contest for popularity between Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran and former state president K Annamalai. advertisement'Nainar and Annamalai are fighting over who is more popular within the state BJP. The conference was held due to this competition only. Let the result come and we will react,' he said. The Minister questioned the relevance of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to Tamil Nadu politics, stating, 'Who is Pawan Kalyan? What relation does he have with Tamil Nadu?' He added, 'If necessary, let Pawan Kalyan choose a constituency in Chennai and contest. After he wins, let him speak anything and we shall listen.'Accusing the BJP of using religion and identity to divide society, Sekar Babu asserted that it would be left to the people of Tamil Nadu to decide whether they preferred inclusive development or what he described as the BJP's 'divisive' politics. 'People will decide in 2026 if they want us or if they want the BJP–Sanghi group which lays a stage and attempts to divide people in the name of religion, language and race,' he Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, addressing the Murugan Conference in Madurai on Sunday, delivered a sharp warning to those he claimed provoke or mock Hindu beliefs. In a veiled attack on the DMK, he said political leaders promote dangerous separatist ideas and selectively target Hinduism in the name of secularism. Recalling his own religious upbringing, he questioned why Hindu practices are criticised while other religions are spared. Asserting Lord Murugan's pan-Indian relevance, he said Hindus must unite against disrespect. 'If a sadhu gets angry, even a forest cannot stand,' he said, urging pride and courage in one's faith. IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
India Today
22-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
"Don't try to provoke us" Pawan Kalyan calls for Hindu unity at Murugan Conference
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has issued a strong statement during his address at the Murugan Conference in Madurai, warning those who, in his view, "mock or provoke" Hindu beliefs, particularly devotees of Lord Murugan. His remarks, seen as a veiled criticism of the DMK, accused certain political leaders of promoting "dangerous separatist ideas" and selectively targeting Hindu practices under the guise of naming the DMK directly, Pawan Kalyan referred to a political leader who had questioned why the Murugan Conference was being held in Tamil Nadu instead of states like Uttar Pradesh. Recalling his own religious upbringing, he said, 'I went to Sabarimala at the age of 14. I went to school with vibhuti (holy ash) on my forehead. But something changed as they asked why I was wearing it as Hindus are secularists. They have a problem if someone is a Hindu as they call it religious fanatic. I have the right to celebrate my religion. Who are you to question it? Even if you don't respect my religion, do not disrespect it."Pawan Kalyan also strongly criticised what he described as a tendency among some self-proclaimed atheists and secularists to only mock Hinduism while remaining silent on other religions. "Can you ask the same questions about religions that originated in Arabia?"advertisementCalling Lord Murugan not just a Tamil deity, but a pan-Indian one revered by different names across regions, the Deputy CM urged devotees to remain united in the face of what he described as repeated provocations."Murugan is the Tamil God, but he is everywhere. Karthikeya in the North, Subramania in Andhra and Karnataka. I pray to him and that is why the Murugan Conference is held in Madurai", said Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan.'If a sadhu gets angry, even a forest cannot stand,' he warned, adding that Hindus should not be ashamed of expressing pride in their went on to condemn past instances where devotional hymns like Kanda Sashti Kavasam were allegedly mocked, describing such actions as an attack on the sentiments of Tamil Hindus. "Let us take a resolve. Let us get together. Love is not weakness but a symbol of courage. Murugan destroyed Surapadman but as this is kali yugam, let us turn into Murugan and destroy evil," he said. "Secularism is a convenient word for those who don't believe in God. But our atheists, instead of not believing in any God, don't believe only in Hindu Gods. Secularists show no discrimination against any other religion except Hinduism. They don't have the gut to point at any religion except Hinduism. Constitution gave them the greatest weapon called freedom of speech which they use against our Gods," he added. Must Watch
