Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP Su Venkatesan has raised a serious alarm over a significant surge in litigation surrounding religious institutions across India, linking the trend directly to the Supreme Court's 2019 Ayodhya verdict. The MP made these remarks while inaugurating a party-organized hunger strike in Madurai on Tuesday.
A Disturbing National Trend Post-Ayodhya
Venkatesan stated that at least 30 cases related to religious sites have been filed nationwide since the landmark Ayodhya judgment. He emphasized that the pattern has been particularly intense recently, with 18 such cases registered just between 2024 and 2025. The MP described many of these new cases as being deliberately provocative in nature.
To illustrate the potential consequences, he pointed to the violent incident in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. There, a dispute concerning the Shahi Jama Masjid reportedly resulted in the loss of five lives. Venkatesan argued that this case exemplifies the dangerous real-world fallout of such litigations.
Political Accusations and Tamil Nadu's Context
The CPM leader did not mince words in assigning political blame. He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actively attempting to stoke communal tensions across the country for political gain. However, he claimed that Tamil Nadu has largely resisted such divisive efforts.
Specifically addressing the local Thiruparankundram issue, Venkatesan accused certain forces of using it as a tool to divert public attention. He asserted that the controversy is overshadowing long-pending development demands of the people in Madurai.
Echoes from Fellow CPM Leader
Former CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan, who also participated in the protest, reinforced the criticism against the BJP. He accused the party of exploiting religious controversies to shift focus away from pressing economic problems like unemployment and rising prices.
Balakrishnan countered allegations from BJP members about court orders not being followed in Thiruparankundram. He drew parallels with past incidents, stating, "The Babri Masjid was demolished despite court orders by members of Hindu outfits." He also cited the Sabarimala issue, where women's entry was legally permitted by the court but physically blocked by certain groups.
According to Balakrishnan, these actions reveal that the BJP is motivated more by political calculation than by respect for constitutional values. He also took aim at AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami for his party's alliance, predicting a bleak electoral future for both the BJP and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.
The hunger strike at Palanganatham roundana was organized to protest the recent developments linked to the Thiruparankundram issue and to oppose communal forces in Madurai. The event saw participation from leaders of the CPM, DMK, and Congress, including M Ganesan, K Rajendran, V Karthikeyan, and DMK MLAs M Boominathan and G Thalapathi.
