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The Santhanakoodu festival began with flag hoisting at dargah on Sunday, during which around 30 locals protested, seeking permission to climb the hill and light a ‘deepam’.
Madras High Court (Credits: X)
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has allowed the Santhanakoodu (Kanthuri) festival to be held at a dargah located on the Thiruparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, while placing clear restrictions on animal sacrifice and the preparation or carrying of non-vegetarian food during the event.
The order came on a writ petition that sought to block the festival scheduled for January 6, citing concerns over animal sacrifice. The petitioner argued that earlier High Court orders had prohibited such practices on the hilltop and claimed that animal sacrifice was an essential part of the Kanthuri festival. It was further contended that allowing the festival in its original form would hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
The petitioner also told the court that the dargah administration, which oversees the complex housing the grave of Sultan Sikandhar Badushah—a Sufi saint believed to have died fighting for Madurai against Vijayanagara ruler Kumara Kampana—had neither challenged earlier court orders nor approached a civil court to establish its right to conduct the festival in the manner claimed.
Seeking interim relief, the petitioner urged the court to maintain the existing situation until the case was finally decided. However, Justice Jyothi Raman declined to grant interim relief and instead issued notice to the dargah administration, directing it to file a counter affidavit. The matter has been adjourned to January 2.
The petition was filed against the backdrop of recent developments at the site. The Santhanakoodu festival had already begun with flag hoisting at the dargah on Sunday. During the event, around 30 people claiming to be local residents staged a protest, demanding permission to climb the hill and light a ‘deepam’ (lamp).
Police officials intervened at the time and clarified that permission had been granted only for arrangements connected to the Santhanakoodu festival at the dargah. Following the incident, the BJP accused the ruling DMK government of suppressing Hindu religious rights. The DMK, in turn, alleged that the BJP was attempting to provoke communal tension.
Despite the protests and political exchanges, the flag hoisting ceremony was conducted peacefully. Notably, the event also saw participation from Hindu devotees, along with traditional Hindu Nadaswaram performances at the shrine, highlighting a calm atmosphere at the site amid the controversy.
The case continues to be closely watched, given its religious, cultural and political sensitivities.
January 02, 2026, 11:35 PM IST
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