Section 144 has been imposed in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, for two days. This is because ‘Hindu Munnani’ and other organizations have announced a protest today.
A day before Hindu Munnani’s protest against the demand by some Muslim groups to allow animal sacrifice at Sikandar Dargah on the Thirupparankundram hill, the Madurai district administration has imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (earlier Section 144 of CrPC). Under this section, protests and public demonstrations are banned, and action will be taken against those who violate the order.
Prohibitory Orders Imposed for Two Days
After the announcement of a protest on February 4, the Madurai district administration has imposed prohibitory orders in Thirupparankundram and other parts of the district for two days. District Collector M.S. Sangeetha stated that the restrictions will be in place from 6 AM on February 3 to 12 midnight on February 5.
‘Hindu Munnani’ (Hindu Morcha) has planned a large-scale protest in Thirupparankundram against a section of people who consume non-vegetarian food.
It is important to note that the Thirupparankundram hill is home to the temple of Lord Subramanya Swamy. The police have denied permission for protests in front of the temple and have deployed over 300 police personnel around the Thirupparankundram hill for security.
Reason Behind the Protest
Thirupparankundram Hill is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Muruga in Tamil Nadu. According to a Privy Council ruling, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Subramanya Swamy Temple. Hindus believe that not even a single drop of blood should fall on this hill.
The issue took a new turn after K. Navas Kani, an MP from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Ramanathapuram, visited the site. He claimed that the dargah is a Waqf property and also posted pictures of a group of people consuming non-vegetarian food on the hill. He further stated that, according to the Police Commissioner, there is no restriction on eating cooked non-vegetarian food there.
