A temple official from the renowned Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Thiruparankundram, Madurai, has formally approached the police, alleging an act of trespass and violation of sanctity. The complaint, lodged with the Thiruparankundram police on Saturday, centers on the unauthorised hoisting of a flag atop the sacred Thiruparankundram hill.
Details of the Alleged Trespass
According to information from police sources, the incident occurred on the night of December 12. Unknown individuals allegedly entered the premises belonging to the temple. Their action involved erecting a flag on top of the revered Kallathi tree, a sacred entity within the temple's property. The flag was reportedly raised to announce the upcoming Sandhanakoodu Festival at the nearby Sikkandar Badhusa Dargah.
Police authorities have underscored that entering the temple's land without permission and installing a flag on the tree constitutes an illegal act. The complainant, representing the temple, has urged the police to identify those responsible for this action and take appropriate legal measures against them for trespassing and allegedly damaging the sanctity of the holy tree.
Court Context and Temple's Stance
This complaint follows closely on the heels of a related judicial directive. On Friday, the Madras High Court issued an order concerning the lighting of the Karthigai deepam at the deepathoon located on the same Thiruparankundram hill.
During the court proceedings, the temple's Executive Officer, Yagna Narayanan, informed the judges that the dargah authorities had not sought permission from the temple administration before tying the flag of the Pallivasal to the tree in the deepathoon area. Narayanan explicitly stated that the act committed by the dargah officials amounted to a rank criminal trespass.
Formal Action and Next Steps
Emphasizing that the temple's property was trespassed upon without authorisation, the Executive Officer assured the court that he would immediately file a formal complaint with the local police having jurisdiction over the area. The complaint lodged on Saturday fulfills that assurance, setting in motion a police investigation to address the allegations of unlawful entry and preservation of the site's religious sanctity.
The incident highlights ongoing sensitivities regarding shared spaces and protocols between different religious institutions in the historic city of Madurai. The police are now tasked with investigating the complaint to ascertain the facts and identify the individuals involved in the flag-hoisting event.
