Police in Tamil Nadu have registered a case against the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, K. Annamalai, and 112 other individuals in connection with a disturbance at the renowned Thiruparankundram temple in Madurai. The case, filed on charges of disturbing public peace, marks a significant escalation in a local religious dispute that has drawn in political figures.
The Incident and Police Action
The controversy revolves around an alleged dispute concerning temple lamps at the historic Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple. According to police sources, the large group of individuals, led by the state BJP chief, engaged in activities that threatened to disrupt the tranquility and order in the area surrounding the temple. The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged under sections related to disturbing public peace and tranquility.
In a related development, two individuals identified as Nagenthran and Raja were taken into custody by the police on the night of Thursday, December 4, 2025. They were detained for questioning for a period of several hours. Police sources confirmed that both men were released later the same night, around 11:20 PM. Their detention is understood to be directly linked to the ongoing investigation into the temple incident.
Political Repercussions and Context
The booking of a prominent national party's state president is likely to have considerable political ramifications in Tamil Nadu. The Thiruparankundram temple is a major pilgrimage site, and any incident involving it attracts immediate public and media attention. The police's decision to file a case against such a large number of people, including a high-profile leader, indicates the seriousness with which they are treating the alleged breach of law and order.
This incident occurs within a charged political atmosphere where matters of religious practice and temple management often become focal points for broader political debates. The involvement of the BJP's state leadership ensures that the event will be closely watched across the state and potentially at the national level.
Next Steps and Legal Process
With the FIR now officially registered, the Madurai police will proceed with their investigation. This will typically involve collecting statements from witnesses, examining any available video evidence from the temple premises, and establishing the sequence of events that led to the complaint. The charges related to disturbing public peace can carry legal consequences depending on the findings of the investigation.
The release of the two detained individuals suggests that the police may currently be in the evidence-gathering phase. All parties named in the FIR will be expected to cooperate with the investigative process as it moves forward. The development underscores the delicate balance between religious expression and the maintenance of public order, a balance that law enforcement is mandated to uphold.
