Hindu solidarity and unity exhibited in the massive rally supporting the cause for the Chennimalai hill and temple!
The Christian announcement about the change of name of Chennimalai: The Chennimalai Murugan Temple, situated in Erode district and boasting a history of over 3000 years, is in news due to a recent contentious speech by the local Christian Munnani group proposing to rename it as “Kalvaari Malai” or “Yesu Malai”[1]. This proposition has stirred controversy among the local Hindus, who have been venerating Chennimalai Murugan for generations[2]. Chennimalai is situated between Erode and Coimbatore. It is known as Siragiri and Chenniyangiri in Devanagiri, and Chennimalai in Tamil, the hill lends its name to the city at its base. The hill is also referred to as Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri, and Siragiri. Notably, the revered hymn ‘Kanda Sashti Kavacham,’ praising Lord Murugan, was first staged by Sri Bala Devaraya Swamigal at this temple. Therefore, evidently, the attempts of the Christians have been atrocious, heinous and irreligious too.
Modus operandi of the Christian encroachment: Erecting a cross, encroaching the place, regularly conducting prayers, putting up temporary shed, converting it into brick structure with doors and windows, getting electricity and regularizing encroachment by getting patta, registration etc., and thus, the illegally encroached area getting legal status, that too, as a church – have been going on. Then, the structure is converted into igger one, with houses coming up surrounding it. Slowly, then it is converted into a township. This happened at many places in Tamilnadu. The Tamilnadu Government officials of different departments – Forest, Revenue, Electricity, Police and others not only aid and abet them, but a;so help them in many ways, obviously with mutual benefits.
Brief of what happened: One John Peter has started conducting prayers reportedly at his house, but, converting into fulfledged church with all their paraphernalia with crowd gathering on Suday and creating sound and noise. Obviously that have been disturbing the neighbours, but authorities keeping quite. Besides, the Christians have started their pla by constructing a small Church on the Chennimalai and declaring that it would named after their religion. Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam has sought criminal action against Christian missionaries for alleging trying to convert Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock as theirs[3]. He also led a protest in the town against the missionaries on 13-10-2023 Friday[4]. Addressing the protesters, Subramaniam alleged that Arjunan alias John Peter from Pasuvapatty had bought a piece of land at Murungathozhuvu, where the Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock is located. He had conducted prayer meetings on the land without obtaining any permission, Subramaniam alleged.
What Actually Conspired: Unauthorised Christian prayer meetings took place in the predominantly Hindu community of Chennimalai, Erode District, causing local tensions[5]. It is quite common that the Christians on Sundays gather, putting up speakers and start shouting and singing and this would continue, even, if none is there in the church, i.e, these noise and shouting would be played through music system. These meetings aimed to promote the Christian faith and attracted attendees from outside the town[6]. Offensive remarks about Hindu deities were made during these gatherings through loudspeakers, deeply offending Hindu residents[7]. Despite causing issues, the unauthorised meetings continued[8]. The law enforcing authorities did not take the conginance of these violations. On 17 September, a confrontation occurred when members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to the meetings and insisted on proper permissions[9]. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation between the BJP members and the Hindu Munnani, resulting in a police case with charges, including attempted murder[10].
25-09-2023 Christian meeting – the support of political parties: The Christians organized a meeting and demanded that action should be taken and all arrested by the police. Christian organisations and political groups like the Revolutionary Youth Front, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and MDMK demanded action against those opposing the prayer meetings. Two individuals, Chinnaswamy and Tamilarasan, were arrested by the police, which shocked BJP and Hindu Munnani members who felt the police acted unilaterally. A Christian demonstration on 26 September 2023 raised concerns as some speakers expressed intent to transform the Chennimalai Murugan temple hill into a “Kalvari Hill”. Hindu organisations mobilized support for protests, and the issue transformed into a religious matter, distressing Muruga devotees and prompting further demonstrations and tensions in the area.
Concern and alarm over the Chistian announcement over name change and abuses: The Hindu Munnani has accused the Christian Munnani, along with certain local Christian missionaries instigated by certain political parties, of publicly giving a controversial speech saying that the sacred Hindu worship site of Chennimalai will be renamed. The Hindu Munnani has strongly condemned this act, stating that it hurt the sentiments of Hindus. They have announced plans to stage a protest on 13 October 2023. Furthermore, they alleged that the Christian Munnani is undertaking these actions with the support of certain local politicians. The 13th Friday meeting has been a grand success, as nearly 25,000 devotees participated volunterrly to register their support and strength and cause. Significantly, many women participated singing slokas and devitional songs.
The support of the Hindu Makkal Katchi: In a recently released video by Indu Makkal Katchi head Arjun Sampath, a Tamil public speaker named Manjunathan expressed strong disapproval for the proposition to rename the sacred Hindu place of worship. He emphasised that Chennimalai holds immense historical and cultural significance in the Erode district, revered by their ancestors for generations. He said that the Christian Munnani’s suggestion to rename the temple has caused distress among Hindus, who have always been supportive of other communities without animosity. This effort to rename the temple is influenced by political motives and stated firmly that such actions will not succeed. He encouraged support for the protest against Christian Munnani’s divisive proposal on 13 October 2023. It is noteworthy to mention here that an entire hill of in Tamil Nadu was encroached by Christian missionaries for years. The Vajragiri hill located about 95 km from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, atop which exists the Pasupathiswarar temple was encroached and there were allegations of local Hindus being denied access to the temple.
Similar Incidents in Tamil Nadu: Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings: The Chennimalai controversy is not an isolated incident in Tamil Nadu. There have been ongoing disputes related to religious sites, encroachments, and attempts to rename sacred places, particularly involving Hindu temples and hills. These incidents have led to longstanding tensions and demands for government intervention. In a series of contentious incidents affecting Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites, allegations of land encroachments and disputes have captured the public’s attention. These ongoing disputes have caused unrest among the local communities, sparking legal battles and debates. Located approximately 95 kilometers from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, the Vajragiri hill is home to the sacred Pasupathiswarar temple. Local Hindus have alleged that they have been denied access to the temple due to encroachments on the hill. Efforts to reclaim the area from the encroachers have been ongoing for several years, drawing attention to the issue’s complexity and sensitivity.
Jesus Redeems- Lazarus case: The religious organisation, Jesus Redeems, has acquired 108 acres of land in the mountainous region of Thoranamalai, near Kadayam in the Tenkasi district. They have plans to establish a modern city with comprehensive amenities on this land. According to the Jesus Redeems website, the founder, Brother Mohan C Lazarus, claimed to have received divine guidance to acquire this mountainous area. The land was donated by a devotee, raising questions about the nature of the acquisition.
Tiruparangundram- Sikandar Dargah: In a highly contentious case, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court recently refused to halt Islamic activities, including namaz, on the Thiruparankundram hill, which is also home to the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple. This dispute has intensified as some groups seek to rename the hill as ‘Sikkandar hill,’ alleging a saint by that name passed away on the hill. The court’s decision to permit namaz activities for 30 minutes, particularly during Bakrid, has ignited tensions in the region. Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, making this a matter of significant religious importance.
Tiruprangundram encroachment, a blot on the Muslims: Local Hindu organizations have long been opposing such encroachments and are urging the government to take action in removing the encroachers. They contend that such incidents are part of a larger pattern and are jeopardizing Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites. These disputes continue to simmer and have become emblematic of the broader challenges faced by religious and heritage sites in the region. Legal proceedings and court rulings have played a role in shaping these disputes. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court refused to stay namaz and other Islamic activities on Thiruparankundram hill, where the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple is located. This emboldened certain groups to carry out activities on the hill, leading to allegations of encroachment and opposition from Hindu outfits.
The Christian encroachment of Chennimalai illegal: The attempt to rename the Chennimalai Murugan Temple, the unauthorised Christian prayer meetings, and the ensuing tensions have created a complex and sensitive situation in Tamil Nadu. As devotees march to Chennimalai in protest and various political and religious groups become involved, the issue continues to evolve. The broader context of similar incidents in the state and legal challenges underscores the complexity of religious matters in the region, demanding attention and resolution from all stakeholders. The unfortunate, but, naked truth have been the total silence of the authorities in the encroachment. That is why the Christians have been emboldened and continue to encroach and occupy lands
© Vedaprakash
14-10-2023
[1] The Commune, “Christian Munnani” Calls For Renaming Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai”, Hindu Orgs Announce Protest, October 11, 2023
[2] https://thecommunemag.com/christian-munnani-calls-for-renaming-murugan-temple-site-chennimalai-as-kalvaari-yesu-malai-hindu-orgs-announces-protest/
[3] Times of India, Hindu Munnani protests against Christian missionaries, TNN / Oct 14, 2023, 08:47 IST.
[4] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/hindu-munnani-protests-against-christian-missionaries/articleshow/104413115.cms?from=mdr
[5] The Organizer, Tamil Nadu: Religious tension mounts as Hindu devotees protest attempt to rename Chennimalai Murugan temple, T S Venkatesan Oct 11, 2023, 02:45 pm IST.
[6] https://organiser.org/2023/10/11/200948/bharat/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-religious-tension-mounts-as-hindu-devotees-protest-attempt-to-rename-chennimalai-murugan-temple/
[7] Swarajya, TN: Hindu Orgs Announce Protest Against Christian Munnani Proposal To Rename Chennimalai Murugan Temple Hill As ‘Yesu/ Kalvaari Malai’, Swarajya staff, Friday, October 13, 2023 12:08 pm IST
[8] https://swarajyamag.com/tamil-nadu/tn-hindu-orgs-announce-protest-against-christian-munnani-proposal-to-rename-chennimalai-murugan-temple-hill-as-yesu-kalvaari-malai
[9] NewsBharati, Christian missionaries eye another Hindu temple! Rename Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai’?, 11-Oct-2023 17:00:10 PM.
[10] https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2023/10/11/Christian-missionaries-eye-on-Murugan-Temple.html