Pawan Kalyan calls for protection of Hindu traditions, proposes ‘Sanatan Dharma Protection Board’

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has expressed concern over what he describes as increasing targeting of Hindus and their traditions. Speaking about attacks on Hindu customs, he emphasized that it is every Hindu’s responsibility to oppose such actions wherever they occur.

Referring indirectly to the recent controversy over lighting lamps on Tirupparankundram Hill in Tamil Nadu, Pawan Kalyan criticized political interference in religious practices. He highlighted a case where a Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) judge ruled in favor of protecting Hindu rights, particularly the right to perform the traditional Kartika Deepam ritual. Following this judgment, more than 100 Members of Parliament reportedly submitted a petition seeking the impeachment of the judge. Kalyan contrasted this with the Shabarimala temple verdict, where Hindus legally exercised their rights without demanding action against the judges.

“The Constitution grants equal rights to everyone, and justice is the same for all,” he said, stressing that regulations designed to protect the interests of other religions, like Islam and Christianity, should also apply to Hinduism.

Kalyan criticized certain political parties in Tamil Nadu for promoting what he called “fake secularism” and accused the DMK government of interfering in temple affairs. He reiterated that Hindus are being targeted and that it is every Hindu’s duty to defend their traditions, whether incidents occur in Tamil Nadu, Assam, or West Bengal.

He called on all believers to speak out against opportunistic political actions that threaten Hindu customs and traditions. Pawan Kalyan also challenged the notion of “Hindu unity,” pointing out that divisions based on caste, language, and region make the idea of a homogeneous Hindu majority misleading.

To address these concerns, Kalyan proposed the establishment of a “Sanatan Dharma Protection Board” at the national level, urging every Hindu to actively participate in safeguarding their faith.

Tirupparankundram Hill, near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, is a sacred site for Hindus, home to the Murugan (Subrahmanya Swamy) temple. The controversy revolves around lighting lamps (Kartika Deepam) on the hill, a long-standing Hindu tradition. Some attempts were made to block the ritual, citing the presence of other religious sites on the hill, leading to legal disputes over rights and religious status.

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) ruling favored Hindus, protecting their traditional rights while considering the hill’s historical and religious significance. Pawan Kalyan highlighted that the attempt to target the judge after this decision reflects a larger pattern of political forces targeting Hindu rights.