L. Murugan urges Stalin to apologise over deepam issue

Union Minister of State L. Murugan on Wednesday said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin should visit Thirupparankundram and apologise to the family of Poornachandran, who allegedly ended his life due to the Thirupparankundram deepathoon row.

Speaking at Coimbatore airport, he claimed that devotees had been seeking permission to light the Karthigai Deepam every year [at a place other than the customary Deepa Mandapam) and were compelled to approach the court again this year.

Mr. Murugan said a Division Bench of the Madurai Bench had upheld a single-judge order allowing the temple management to light the deepam atop the stone pillar in Thirupparankundram hill, noting that concerns of public disturbance were unfounded and would occur only if instigated by the State.

Despite the verdict and a contempt petition, no action was taken to implement the order. Instead, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders and arrested a party leader. effectively restricting the devotees’ fundamental right to worship.