At a sacred hillock in Tamil Nadu, claims of meat-eating spiral into protests, Annamalai wades into row

However, the meat-eating allegations have led to the resurfacing of old claims that some members of the minority community want to rename the hill Sikkandar Malai. Malai in Tamil translates to hill.

The prevailing situation prompted the district administration to impose prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), a move aimed at preventing gatherings that could escalate tensions.

The Hindu Munnani subsequently sought legal intervention to hold its protest and the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted it permission to hold a demonstration at Palanganatham junction, five kilometres from the temple premises. Justices G Jayachandran and R Poornima also ordered that no provocative slogans be raised.

In anticipation of the protests, security was ramped up across Thiruparankundram, with nearly 4,000 police personnel deployed. Officials conducted thorough checks at various entry points, while key religious sites, including the Kasi Viswanathan Temple at the top of the hill, were placed under restricted access. Only the Murugan Temple remained open to devotees, with the dargah also being cordoned off.

District Collector M S Sangeetha enforced Section 163 of BNSS (formerly Section 144 of CrPC) from Monday morning until Tuesday noon, banning all public gatherings. The order was reinforced after the Hindu Munnani announced its intent to move forward with the protest.

Police detained members of several groups from neighbouring districts, including Theni, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Sivagangai, as a preventive measure to avoid potential violence.

Meanwhile, Muslim organisations and local community groups, including a forum promoting religious harmony, petitioned Chief Minister M K Stalin seeking his intervention. They urged authorities to invoke the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the National Security Act (NSA) against individuals allegedly provoking communal discord.

Thiruparankundram, located on the outskirts of Madurai, has long been a symbol of religious coexistence, with both Hindus and Muslims offering prayers at their respective places of worship.

However, the current controversy erupted two weeks ago when photographs purportedly showing people consuming meat at the hill surfaced online. The BJP and others swiftly condemned the purported incident, arguing that it desecrated the sacred site

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai accused Ramanathapuram MP Nawaz Kani of leading the group allegedly involved in the incident. Kani denied the charges, and called the allegations an attempt to polarise communities ahead of the upcoming elections.

Annamalai also alleged that the state government had imposed prohibitory orders “across Tamil Nadu” to prevent Hindu groups from mobilising in support of the protest.