DMK is resorting to minority appeasement, says BJP leader Annamalai

Former BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai said on Friday that the State government’s action preventing “devotees” from lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the dheepathoon (pillar) atop the hill at Thirupparankundram was highly condemnable. He alleged that the ruling DMK was resorting to “minority appeasement politics”.

Addressing journalists in Chennai, he questioned the government’s intention of preventing “devotees” from lighting the lamp at the pillar, though there was no opposition from the management of the dargah located atop the hill or from any Islamic organisation. He also criticised the government for defying the orders of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that allowed 10 persons, including the petitioners, to climb the hill and light the lamp on the pillar.

Mr. Annamalai said that close to 160 temples were demolished during DMK rule for various reasons, including encroachment, following court orders. “When the government acted immediately on court orders in such instances, why did it fail to do so in the Thirupparankundram case,” he asked.

Asked about his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday, Mr. Annamalai said, “It was a routine meeting. On behalf of the BJP State president [Nainar Nagenthran], I apprised the Home Minister of the Thirupparankundram issue,” he added.