Chennai, 27 December (H.S.): Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister PK Sekar Babu on Saturday stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party's attempt to incite communal hatred through the Thirupparankundram lamp lighting controversy has failed. Speaking to reporters, the Minister claimed that the opposition party sought to divide the people on communal lines by invoking the name of Lord Murugan during the Karthigai Deepam festival, but their efforts did not yield any success.

The Minister remarked that such attempts to create disharmony would not work under the leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin. He further added that it appeared as though the deity himself did not sanction the BJP's actions, leading to the failure of their narrative. The controversy had emerged regarding the rituals and administration at the Thirupparankundram temple, which the BJP had used to criticize the state government’s handling of religious affairs.

Responding to statements made by BJP leader H Raja regarding the liberation of temples from government control, Sekar Babu challenged the leader to contest and win an election first. He suggested that Raja should seek to contest from a constituency in Chennai to prove his political worth instead of making unwarranted remarks to establish an identity. The Minister emphasized that the HR and CE department is committed to transparent administration and the welfare of devotees.

Government authorities reiterated that the temple administration remains focused on conducting rituals according to established traditions. The Minister concluded by saying that the public remains vigilant against any efforts to disrupt social harmony in the state.

He maintained that the administration would continue to protect religious traditions while ensuring that no political entity uses them for divisive purposes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary