Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Man dies by self-immolation in Madurai over Deepam row
A man named Poorna Chandran, who was 40 years old and drove an auto, set himself on fire in Madurai.
He did this because he was very upset that the government would not let people light a special lamp on a hill that is sacred to Lord Murugan.
The lamp is usually lit as part of a festival called Karthigai Deepam.
The man left a message saying he was doing this to protest the government's decision.
His family was very surprised because he had not told them about his plans.
The government had not allowed the lamp to be lit on the hill, even though a court had said it should be.
The man's family and others are very sad about what happened.
Poorna Chandran, a 40-year-old auto driver, died by self-immolation near the Periyar statue in Madurai.
He was reportedly upset over the Tamil Nadu government's refusal to allow the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp at Thirupparankundram hill.
A voice message allegedly from Chandran, expressing his intent to self-immolate, went viral on social media.
The police have registered a case under Section 194 of BNSS and are investigating the incident.
The Tamil Nadu government had not allowed the lamp to be lit on the hill, despite a court order permitting it.
- Who
- Poorna Chandran, a 40-year-old auto driver and devotee of Lord Murugan
- What
- Self-immolation in protest against the Tamil Nadu government's refusal to allow lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp at Thirupparankundram hill
- When
- December 18
- Where
- Near the Periyar statue in Madurai
- Why
- Disappointment over the government's refusal to permit lighting the sacred lamp at the traditional Deepathoon atop the hill, despite a court order
- Victim's Name
- Poorna Chandran
- Age
- 40 years old
- Occupation
- Auto driver
- Location of Incident
- Near Periyar statue in Madurai
- Date of Incident
- December 18
- Section under which case is registered
- Section 194 of BNSS
- Sacred Hill
- Thiruparankundram hill
- Temple
- Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple
