Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Tamil Nadu Flag Hoisting Sparks Protests
In Madurai, Tamil Nadu, people are protesting because they want a special lamp called Karthigai Deepam to be lit on a hill.
The court said it should be lit at the hilltop temple, but the government said no because they were worried about trouble.
A man named Poornachandran was so upset that he hurt himself badly.
The government allowed a flag to be raised for a festival, but some people are not happy about it.
The festival will last until early January.
The government and Hindu outfits have different opinions about where the lamp should be lit, and both sides are very firm in their beliefs.
Protests erupted in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, over the flag-hoisting ceremony for the Santhanakoodu festival at the Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badusha Auliya Dargah.
Locals demanded the lighting of Karthigai Deepam as per a court order, but the government cited law-and-order concerns and lit the lamp at a different location.
A 40-year-old man, Poornachandran, died by self-immolation protesting the non-lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop temple.
The Madras High Court directed the lighting of the lamp at the hilltop stone lamp pillar, but the state government challenged the decision.
Tensions are high due to disagreements between the DMK government and Hindu religious outfits, with the BJP accusing the government of minority appeasement politics.
- Who
- Local residents, Islamic community, DMK government, Hindu outfits, BJP, Poornachandran (deceased)
- What
- Protest against flag-hoisting ceremony and self-immolation, dispute over the lighting of Karthigai Deepam
- When
- Sunday, December 21, 2023, and Thursday evening (self-immolation)
- Where
- Thiruparankundram hill, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Why
- Dispute over the lighting of Karthigai Deepam and flag-hoisting ceremony, communal tensions, political and religious disagreements
DMK Government
Hindu Outfits and BJP
Location of Lamp Lighting
DMK Government
The lamp must be lit at the Deepa Mandapam, a different location in the vicinity of the hilltop temple, to avoid communal tensions.
Hindu Outfits and BJP
The lamp must be lit at the stone lamp pillar at the hilltop temple, as per ancient custom and faith.
Communal Tensions
DMK Government
The DMK government believes that lighting the lamp at the hilltop temple could potentially cause communal tensions and lead to law and order issues.
Hindu Outfits and BJP
The BJP and related outfits accuse the DMK government of being anti-Hindu and indulging in minority appeasement politics.
- Location
- Thiruparankundram hill, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Event
- Santhanakoodu festival flag-hoisting ceremony
- Date of Incident
- Sunday, December 21, 2023
- Festival Duration
- Late-December to early-January
- Deceased
- Poornachandran (40-year-old medical representative and mini auto driver)
- High Court Directive
- Lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop stone lamp pillar
- State Government's Stance
- Challenged the High Court's decision citing law-and-order concerns
- Police Presence
- Heavy police presence during the flag-hoisting ceremony
Sources
Protest erupts at Thiruparankundram hill over Santhanakoodu flag hoisting in Tamil Nadu
Attempt to divide people on communal lines will not succeed in TN: VCK founder
Chaos at Thiruparankundram during Islamic event; public protest for Deepam lighting
Amid Deepam Row, Tamil Nadu Dargah Festival Showcases Hindu-Muslim Harmony
