New Delhi/Tiruchirappalli, December 11, 2025 – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's ongoing visit to Tamil Nadu has sparked sharp political backlash, with Congress MP Manickam Tagore accusing him of arriving in the state to "ignite fire" over a simmering religious dispute at the Thiruparankundram temple in Madurai.
Tagore, a prominent Congress leader from Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu, made the remarks during a media interaction in Delhi on Wednesday, linking Bhagwat's presence to the contentious Karthigai Deepam lighting issue at the Subramaniya Swamy Temple. "RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has arrived in Tamil Nadu to ignite a fire. This won't work in Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu will reject this," Tagore stated emphatically, urging the state to stand firm against what he described as attempts to communalize local matters.
Bhagwat, who is in Tamil Nadu to attend the "100 Years of Sangh Journey - New Horizons" event in Tiruchirappalli, addressed the controversy directly during his speech at the gathering. Responding to queries from the audience about the Thiruparankundram row, the RSS supremo expressed confidence in a localized resolution, emphasizing the "awakening of Hindus" in the state as sufficient to achieve the "desired result." He added, "At present, I think the issue can be resolved here only on the basis of Hindus' strength in Tamil Nadu," while noting that the matter is currently sub judice and escalation to a national level may not be necessary unless required.
The dispute at Thiruparankundram, a historic hilltop site near Madurai, centers on the annual lighting of the Karthigai Deepam – a sacred flame symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness – at the ancient Murugan temple. The temple shares close proximity with a Muslim dargah, leading to longstanding tensions over access and rituals. In a recent ruling, Madras High Court Justice G.R. Swaminathan directed authorities to permit the lamp lighting, citing it as an essential religious practice. However, the ruling DMK government has withheld implementation, citing potential law and order risks due to the site's sensitivity.
The standoff has escalated politically, with DMK allies in Parliament moving an impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan, alleging overreach in his order. Hindu groups, including those affiliated with the RSS and BJP, have rallied in support of the court's directive, framing it as a test of religious freedoms. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently slammed the opposition's handling of the issue, accusing them of "anti-Hindu" bias, further fueling the national debate.
Bhagwat's intervention marks a rare direct commentary from the RSS on a state-specific religious flashpoint, underscoring the organization's growing footprint in Tamil Nadu – a region traditionally resistant to Hindutva ideologies. Speaking at the centenary event, which celebrates the RSS's foundational journey, Bhagwat reiterated the need for Hindu unity without immediate calls for agitation. "If the Thiruparankundram issue needs escalation, it will be done. But I don't think it needs to. The matter is now sub judice. Let it resolve," he said.
Tagore's criticism echoes broader Congress concerns over the RSS's influence in southern politics, where Dravidian parties like DMK have long dominated by championing secularism and social justice. The MP's outburst comes amid a charged parliamentary session, where opposition leaders have repeatedly raised the temple row to corner the ruling NDA coalition.
As the Karthigai Deepam festival approaches later this month, all eyes remain on Madurai, where devotees and activists continue to press for compliance with the court order. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's administration has yet to respond to Bhagwat's remarks, but sources indicate heightened security measures at the site to prevent any flare-ups.
The episode highlights deepening fault lines in India's federal polity, where local customs intersect with national ideological battles. With the Supreme Court potentially weighing in on the sub judice matter, the Thiruparankundram dispute shows no signs of abating, drawing RSS leaders like Bhagwat deeper into the fray.
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