Chennai, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its critique of the ruling DMK government regarding its stance on the Thiruparankundram hill lamp-lighting incident, alleging that it has disrespected Hindu religious feelings and compromised Sanatan Dharma.

The party has called for a public apology from Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P.K. Sekar Babu for what it termed as “insulting comments” directed at the Tamil God Murugan.

The dispute arose during the hearings of appeals submitted by the Executive Officer of the Thiruparankundram Temple and the Madurai District Collector before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court, which included Justices G. Jayachandran and C.V. Karthikeyan.

The appeals contested a previous ruling by Single Judge Justice S. Swaminathan that allowed the lighting of a lamp at the peak of Thiruparankundram hill as part of religious customs.

In defense of the Tamil Nadu government, legal representatives argued that a Dargah is located near the temple, and that the authority to permit the lighting of the lamp should rest solely with the temple administration. They also claimed there was no historical proof to substantiate the existence of a Deepa Stambham (lamp pillar) on the hill.

The BJP contended that these claims represent a distortion of historical truths and are motivated by hidden agendas.

The party also expressed strong disapproval of statements made by senior counsel N. Jothi, representing the HR&CE Department, who allegedly remarked that while Lord Murugan has two consorts, tradition permits lamp lighting at only one location.

The BJP asserted that such statements diminish the faith of devotees and detract from the religious importance of Thiruparankundram, one of the six sacred sites dedicated to Lord Murugan.

In a statement from BJP Tamil Nadu spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad, the party emphasized that devotees and spiritual organizations are pursuing their rights through constitutional and legal avenues, trusting in the judiciary. However, it accused the DMK government of consistently adopting “anti-Hindu” stances and violating Article 25 of the Constitution, which ensures religious freedom.

Furthermore, the BJP claimed that the DMK leadership, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has repeatedly made disparaging remarks about Sanatan Dharma, which has offended the sentiments of the Tamil Nadu populace.

The party cautioned that such actions could have political ramifications and asserted that public resentment would be evident in the forthcoming elections.

The BJP demanded accountability, insisting that Minister Sekar Babu assume moral responsibility for the courtroom comments and publicly apologize to both devotees and the citizens of Tamil Nadu.