Deepam Lamp Row: BJP Calls DMK 'Anti-Hindu', RSS-Backed Group Announces Statewide Protest

Deepam Lamp Row: BJP Calls DMK 'Anti-Hindu', RSS-Backed Group Announces Statewide Protest

Amid the ongoing Karthigai Deepam lamp row in Tamil Nadu, the BJP on Friday launched an attack on the DMK-led government, accusing it of being “anti-Hindu" and of preventing devotees from performing a long-standing religious ritual at the Thiruparankundram hill near Madurai.

In a post on X, the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit alleged that the state government had “wilfully defied" a court order by stopping devotees from lighting the sacred Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the temple hill.

The party said the incident reflected what it called as the DMK's “continued hostility" towards Hindu traditions. “Their attack on Hindu beliefs, traditions, and devotion is out in the open. And the citizens of Tamil Nadu will no longer tolerate the DMK's ongoing war against Sanatan Dharma," it said.

The row escalated after several devotees, including Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran, were detained on Thursday. They had gathered at the hill to carry out the traditional ritual after the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court declined to stay an earlier order permitting the lighting of the lamp at an ancient stone pillar on the hill, which houses the Lord Subramaniya Swamy temple.

RSS-backed Hindu Munnani also announced a statewide protest, posting a call on X for a “Grand Statewide Condemnation Protest" on Sunday. The group accused the Tamil Nadu government of “insulting Muruga devotees" and acting against the spirit of the High Court order.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) joined the criticism, calling the government's actions an “attack on the fundamental rights of Hindus and the Constitution".

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the arrest of devotees amounted to contempt of court and urged the Centre to step in to ensure the “constitutional rights of Hindus" are protected. He also appealed to the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court to take note of what he described as a serious violation of judicial orders.

(With inputs from PTI)

Source: News18
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