Mon Oct 13 15:23:24 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Residents of Thenur, near Madurai, India, protested outside the District Collector’s office on Monday, October 13, 2025, demanding that all communities be allowed to collectively participate in the upcoming Sundaravalli Amman and Chinna Amman Temples festival. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department planned to have a Trustee Committee conduct the festival, which protesters opposed, citing a long-standing tradition of collective participation. Following the protest and a meeting with the District Collector, K.J. Praveen Kumar, residents were assured that the matter would be investigated.

**News Article:**

**Thenur Residents Protest Exclusion from Temple Festival in Madurai**

**MADURAI, INDIA – October 13, 2025** – Hundreds of residents from Thenur, a village near Madurai, staged a protest outside the Madurai District Collector’s office earlier today, demanding the right for all communities to collectively participate in the upcoming festival at the Sundaravalli Amman and Chinna Amman Temples.

The protest was triggered by a decision from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to have a Trustee Committee conduct the festival, breaking with a long-held tradition of inclusive participation from all communities in the area.

“Our participation in the festival is a customary practice that has been going on for generations,” said one protestor, who wished to remain anonymous. “Stopping us now, for unknown reasons, is against our faith and belief.”

The protesters submitted a petition to District Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar earlier, seeking permission for all communities to collectively conduct the festival. When no action was taken, they blocked the road outside the Collectorate, disrupting traffic.

Police intervened, and representatives of the protesters were eventually allowed to meet with Mr. Praveen Kumar. Following the meeting, residents reported that the Collector assured them that he would instruct relevant officials to investigate the matter and address their concerns.

The outcome of the investigation remains to be seen, but the protest highlights the deep-rooted significance of community involvement in religious festivals and the potential for conflict when traditions are altered.

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