BJP leader K Annamalai criticises TN Minister over Thirupparankundram issue, calls DMK ‘anti-Hindu’

BJP leader K. Annamalai on Wednesday criticised Tamil Nadu Minister Regupathy’s remarks on the Thirupparankundram issue, accusing the DMK government of displaying an “anti-Hindu” bias .

Annamalai, the former state BJP chief, reacted to Regupathy’s statement that “corpses should only be burnt in crematorium, customs must not be changed,” calling it part of a continuous trend where DMK leaders, including the Chief Minister, allegedly insult centuries-old spiritual traditions and mock the worship rights and culture of Hindus. He added that even when courts highlight divisive actions by DMK members, the party goes so far as to challenge judicial verdicts. “The people of Tamil Nadu would soon teach a lesson to those in the DMK,” he said.

The controversy centres on the Madras High Court’s recent ruling , which upheld a single-bench order allowing the lighting of a lamp atop the historic Thirupparankundram hill, a site sacred to the Murugan temple. Responding to the verdict, Regupathy said the “culture and heritage of Tamils must be protected” and cautioned against implementing customs or traditions that had not historically existed. He stressed that funeral practices, such as cremation, must remain consistent with long-standing customs to avoid confusion.

Political observers say the issue has broader implications for state politics , as religious and cultural sentiments often influence voter behaviour in Tamil Nadu. Parties may frame such controversies to mobilise community support , making the debate both a legal and electoral flashpoint . The High Court ruling could also set a precedent for asserting religious practices , potentially intensifying the tension between state regulation and traditional customs .

Annamalai’s criticism underscores the BJP’s strategy of highlighting perceived attacks on Hindu traditions, while the DMK’s insistence on preserving historical customs reflects its emphasis on maintaining cultural heritage. The matter is likely to remain a key point of political and cultural contention in the state.