Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former state president K Annamalai launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government on Friday, accusing it of deliberately creating unrest in Thiruparankundram by defying clear directions from the Madras High Court regarding a religious ceremony. Annamalai alleged the state administration is engaging in "minority appeasement politics" and claimed the events of the past four days have exposed the prevailing "lawlessness" in Tamil Nadu.
Defiance of Court Order and Police Action
Annamalai stated that the Madras High Court had explicitly allowed the lighting of the 'deepathoon', a stone lamp pillar, and had ordered police support for the ritual. However, he alleged that government officials did not comply with this judicial directive. This non-compliance, he said, led to a contempt order from the court, which subsequently mandated access with CISF assistance. Despite this, the local police again blocked the access, citing sections 163 of the BNSS and 144 of the CrPC.
"The high court division bench found that a curfew was imposed even before the 6 pm deadline given by the court for lighting of the lamp," Annamalai revealed, highlighting what he termed as a pre-emptive and illegal move by the authorities. He further claimed that BJP leaders, including state president Nainar Nagenthran, were arrested in violation of established legal norms during the protests.
Clarifying Locations and Criticising DMK Leaders
The BJP leader accused the state government of attempting to confuse the public by referencing judgments from 2014 and 2017. He clarified that the current issue is distinct from past cases. "Those petitioners wanted the deepam to be lit at the hilltop near the Dargah. These petitioners (in 2025) are asking for the pillar, which lies lower down the slope. Both are different locations and cases," Annamalai explained, drawing a clear geographical and legal distinction.
Annamalai also strongly criticised DMK MP T R Baalu for his alleged remarks against the high court judge who passed the order for lighting the lamp. "How can they call him an RSS judge?" Annamalai questioned, expressing outrage over the personal targeting of the judiciary. He added that several state ministers were also unfairly targeting the judge for performing his constitutional duty.
Meeting with Amit Shah and Response to CM Stalin
On his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday, Annamalai described it as a routine briefing. "It was a routine meeting to brief the home minister on what is happening in Thiruparankundram and the atrocities perpetrated by the state govt against BJP cadres," he stated, indicating that the central leadership is now apprised of the situation.
Finally, Annamalai hit back at Chief Minister M K Stalin's recent tweet suggesting that the people of Madurai would decide between development politics and other kinds of politics. Annamalai's comments implicitly framed the DMK's actions in Thiruparankundram as an example of the "other kind" of politics—one based on communal considerations and disregard for the rule of law, rather than pure development.
The ongoing dispute in Thiruparankundram has thus escalated into a major political flashpoint, with the BJP positioning itself as a defender of judicial authority and religious rights, while accusing the DMK government of unconstitutional overreach and vote-bank politics.
