Vanni Arasu Urges Tamil Nadu Government to Stand Firm on Thiruparankundram Deepam

On Sunday, Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu urged the Tamil Nadu government to stand firm on the ongoing Thiruparankundram deepam dispute and resist pressure from religious fringe elements seeking to politicise the controversy. Speaking on the issue concerning the Uchipillayar temple atop the hillock in Thiruparankundram, Arasu called on the state administration to protect the long-standing local practice of lighting the lamp.

The dispute centers on the practice of lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Uchipillayar temple, which has been followed for years. State units of left-wing political parties, including the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), have also backed the government's stance that this traditional practice would continue.

In a post on the social media platform X, Arasu stated that the TVK government must continue its legal battle to protect the long-standing tradition. He urged the administration not to succumb to pressure from right-wing organizations that are seeking to light the lamp on a pillar near the local dargah instead.

In his online statement, Arasu argued that the public had already made their stance clear. "The people of Tamil Nadu have already rejected these fringe elements. The govt also should reject them," he wrote.

CPI State Secretary M. Veerapandian supported the government's position, urging the administration not to dilute its stance and to uphold secularism and social justice. Similarly, CPM State Secretary P. Shanmugam called on the government to remain committed to communal harmony and people's unity, warning against yielding to pressure from divisive forces.

Arasu further accused the BJP and Sangh Parivar organizations of attempting to mobilize people using religion for political purposes. He alleged that these groups have shown little concern for the social, educational, and economic advancement of backward Hindu communities, or for securing social justice, but are now seeking to create divisions through religious issues.

The remarks follow a statement from State Energy Resources Minister R. Nirmal Kumar, who indicated that the TVK administration would follow the approach previously adopted by the DMK government on this matter.