Vanni Arasu Urges Government to Stand Firm on Thiruparankundram Deepam Issue

Speaking in Chennai, Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu on Sunday urged the Tamil Nadu government to remain firm on the Thiruparankundram deepam issue and resist pressure from religious fringe elements seeking to politicise the controversy.

The minister's statement came in response to ongoing tensions surrounding the lighting of the karthigai deepam lamp at the Uchipillayar temple atop the hillock in Thiruparankundram. Right-wing organizations have reportedly pressured the government to light the lamp on a pillar located near a local dargah instead.

State units of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) have backed the government’s position. Both parties agreed that the long-standing practice of lighting the lamp at the Uchipillayar temple atop the hillock should continue.

CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandian urged the administration not to dilute its position and to uphold secularism and social justice. Similarly, CPM State Secretary P. Shanmugam called on the government to remain committed to people’s unity and communal harmony without yielding to pressure from divisive forces.

In a post on social media platform X, Vanni Arasu stated that the TVK government should continue its legal battle to protect the traditional practice. He noted that the people of Tamil Nadu have already rejected these fringe elements and urged the government to do the same.

The minister also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Sangh Parivar organizations of attempting to mobilize people in the name of religion for political purposes. He alleged that these groups have shown little concern for the social, educational, and economic advancement of backward Hindu communities, but are now seeking to create divisions.

State Energy Resources Minister R. Nirmal Kumar previously indicated that the TVK administration would follow the approach adopted by the previous DMK government regarding the issue.