Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), VCK chief T. Thol. Thirumavalavan, an ally of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has claimed that attempts by the Sangh Parivar to divide people on communal lines over the issue of lighting lamps in Thirupparankundram will not succeed in Tamil Nadu.
Thirumavalavan claimed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu organizations are deliberately trying to create conflict between Hindus and minority communities, as they have been doing in North India, in order to strengthen their foothold in Tamil Nadu. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief said the secular progressive alliance led by the DMK will not tolerate communal hatred in the state and he appealed to people to remain vigilant.
Thirumavalavan said the order by a single judge (on December 1) in favor of lighting a lamp on a survey pillar is an excellent example of the BJP establishing complete control over the judiciary. Our party has planned a protest in Madurai against this decision. Responding to allegations that the DMK favors minorities, he said this is a completely baseless charge. The DMK represents all communities and enjoys broad support from all people, including Hindus.
Thirupparankundram
Thirupparankundram is a historic temple town in Tamil Nadu, India, renowned for its ancient rock-cut Murugan Temple. One of the six sacred abodes of the Hindu god Murugan, the temple’s origins trace back over 1,200 years, with significant expansions by later Pandya and Madurai Nayak rulers. It is carved into a monolithic rock and is also notable for its association with the marriage of Murugan to the goddess Devasena.
Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari, also known as Cape Comorin, is the southernmost tip of mainland India, where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean converge. It is historically significant as a major pilgrimage site, home to the ancient Bhagavathy Amman Temple, and is famed for its association with social reformer Swami Vivekananda, who meditated there in 1892. The site is also marked by the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial, built in his honor in the 20th century.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is a state in southern India renowned for its rich Dravidian cultural heritage and ancient Hindu temples, such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. Its history dates back over two millennia, with powerful dynasties like the Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas shaping its distinct Tamil language, art, and architecture. Today, it remains a vibrant center for Tamil culture, classical dance (Bharatanatyam), music, and literature.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is not a physical place or cultural site, but a major regional political party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Founded in 1949 by C. N. Annadurai, it grew from the Dravidian movement, which advocated for social justice, Tamil linguistic pride, and regional autonomy in opposition to what was perceived as Brahminical and North Indian dominance. The party has played a defining role in Tamil Nadu’s politics and governance for decades.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a prominent Hindu nationalist, volunteer-based organization in India, founded in 1925 by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. Its stated aim is to promote Hindu cultural values and foster a sense of national unity and selfless service, though it has been a historically influential and sometimes controversial force in Indian socio-political life.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), or the Liberation Panther Party, is a prominent Indian political party in Tamil Nadu founded in 1972 by Thol. Thirumavalavan. Historically, it emerged from the Dalit liberation movement, advocating for the rights and social justice of Scheduled Castes, particularly the Paraiyar community, against caste-based discrimination and oppression. It has evolved from a social movement into a significant political force, often aligning with larger coalitions in Tamil Nadu politics.
Madurai
Madurai is a historic city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, renowned for the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a massive and architecturally spectacular Hindu temple complex dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi. The city has been a major cultural and commercial center for over two millennia, with the temple’s core believed to have been established as early as the 6th century BCE, though much of the present structure dates from the 16th-17th centuries under the Nayak dynasty. It remains a vital pilgrimage site and a symbol of Tamil culture and Dravidian architecture.
BJP
“BJP” refers to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is a major political party in India, not a physical place or cultural site. Founded in 1980, it has its ideological roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the broader Hindu nationalist movement. It has grown to become one of the country’s dominant political forces, forming the central government for multiple terms since the late 1990s.
