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Summary:

Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE), P.K. Sekarbabu, has accused unnamed groups of attempting to incite religious conflict in Madurai over the location of the Karthigai deepam lamp lighting at Thirupparankundram hill. He affirmed the state government’s commitment to upholding court orders that specify the traditional lighting location and accused the opposition AIADMK party of hypocrisy and abandoning its principles under the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as the AIADMK previously supported the same lighting location during their time in power.

News Article:

Tamil Nadu Minister Accuses Groups of Stirring Religious Tension Over Temple Lamp Lighting

Chennai, December 7, 2025 – P.K. Sekarbabu, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE), has issued a strong statement accusing certain groups of attempting to create religious conflict over the annual Karthigai deepam lamp lighting ceremony at Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Minister Sekarbabu emphasized the state government’s commitment to upholding court orders dating back to 1920, which stipulate that the lamp should be lit at the traditionally designated location, a practice that has been observed for over a century.

“The objective of the State government is to prevent caste and religious conflicts,” Sekarbabu stated. “Court orders…have affirmed that the Karthigai deepam should be lit only at the location where it has been lit for more than 100 years.”

The Minister further accused the opposition AIADMK party of hypocrisy, alleging they were acting under the influence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He pointed out that the AIADMK, while in power in 2014 and 2017, had also filed affidavits supporting the traditional lighting location. “Now, they are saying that the State government should allow lighting of the lamp at another location. This is hypocrisy. They have surrendered their principles to the BJP,” he added.

Sekarbabu assured the public that the state government, under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, would not allow divisive forces to take root and would use all necessary legal means to maintain order and uphold the rule of law. “Under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s rule, divisive forces will never take root. Such forces will be suppressed with an iron hand. The State government will take successive legal steps and ensure the rule of law,” he said.

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