The Coimbatore North district unit of Hindu Munnani staged a protest urging the Tamil Nadu government to immediately implement the court order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam on the Deepathoon at Thirupparankundram.
More than 500 people participated in the demonstration near the Periyanaickenpalayam bus stop. The state-wide protest was organised to press the government to implement the court’s directive.
Coimbatore district secretary Murugan welcomed the gathering, while Coimbatore division general secretary Baba Krishnan delivered the keynote address. The protesters raised slogans demanding the protection of the right to worship.
The protesters said a High Court Bench had already issued a clear order permitting the lamp to be lit on the Deepathoon at Thiruparankundram on November 24, on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam. They alleged that the State government was delaying implementation despite no stay having been granted by the Supreme Court.
The protesters urged the government not to follow the approach of the previous DMK administration. They also called on the government to take a position supportive of Hindus in the case pending before the Supreme Court.
District secretary Padaiyappa A. Muthukumar proposed the vote of thanks.
District functionaries Thyagarajan, Muruganandam, Jayakarthik, Selvam, Anandan, Ashok and Manohar, along with several town-level functionaries, participated in the protest.
