Supreme Court Dismisses Bharath Hindu Munnani's Plea For Protest Over Thiruparakundram Hill Row

The Supreme Court today(Monday) refused to entertain a Special Leave Petition filed by Bharath Hindu Munnani seeking permission for a protest procession at Thiruparakundram, Madurai.

This SLP was filed against the order of the Madras High Court which had dismissed their plea for procession stating that the State could not permit any form of protest which disrupted the public peace and harmony. 

The plea was filed by S Yuvaraj, Deputy District President of the Bharath Hindu Munnani, North Chennai seeking directions to the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector of Police (Flower Bazaar Police Station) to permit the Munnani to take out a procession on February 18, with a Vel (Spear often associated with Lord Murugan) from Egambarashwarar Temple to Sri Muthukumarasamu Kovil Devasthanam Rasappa Street in Chennai to show solidarity with the protestors in Thiruparakundram Hill row.

A bench of Justices Bela M. Trivedi and PB Varale noted that the plea was for taking out a procession on February 18. Since time has passed, now the prayers have become infructuous. Advocate G Mutharasu, appearing for Bharath Hindu Munnani, requested that an alternative date be considered by the Court for allowing the procession.

"We are not here for such petty things. Dismissed," the order states.

The Thiruparakundram Hills which is home to both the Kasivishwanathar temple and a Sikkandar dargah has recently become the eye of the storm after animal sacrifices were prohibited in the Dargah. A video was also widely circulated showing a group of individuals consuming non-vegetarian food at the hill. This led to wide controversy with some Hindu groups planning a protest against the same.

A prohibitory order was imposed in the area for 2 days (February 3rd and 4th) under Section 144 CrPC (now Section 163 BNSS) by the District Collector, upon information from the Commissioner of Police to ensure communal harmony. The police also issued a press note informing the general public not to come to Thiruparakundram temple. The police also asked the fleet and transport operators to not carry the public to the temple for protests and asked the shops and halls near the temple to remain closed.

The petitioners argued that their representations for carrying out the procession were not considered by the authorities prompting them to approach the High Court.

Case Details: S.YUVARAJ v. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND ANR|SLP(Crl) No. 3852/2025