- 7 months ago
The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court permitted the ritual, dismissing the state government's objections related to law and order and the shrine's proximity to the Sikandar Badusha Dargah.
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00:00Hello and welcome. Good evening. You're watching Super 6 here on India Today.
00:03I'm Akshita Anandagopal. We've got lots lined up for you over the next one hour
00:07with our focus particularly on what's happening in Tamil Nadu.
00:11The year of elections in the state and that's clear in the non-stop political updates coming in.
00:16But our top focus is going to be on what played out in the court today.
00:20The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court upholding the previous order
00:24of allowing the Deepam to be lit at the Deepatun.
00:27This is a Tiruparav Kundram controversy.
00:29It's again put the Stalin government in the dock as the court has questioned
00:33why political leanings are leading to a delay in lighting the Deepam.
00:38We're going to be talking about that particular order.
00:40We'll be joined by our panelists.
00:41I'll also have BJP's Kushmu Sundar live with me here on Super 6.
00:45Also coming up on the show at 6.30pm.
00:48We'll be talking about the non-stop issues, hurdles that Vijay is facing
00:53from a CBI summoned in the Karoor Stampede.
00:55He's supposed to appear next week before the CBI.
00:58To his last film, Jan and I again facing trouble.
01:02The census certificate yet to come in.
01:04We'll be breaking down those two big stories for you.
01:07I'm Akshita Anandha Gopal.
01:08We begin with the top 10 headlines.
01:09Big setback for the Tamil Nadu government is the Madras High Court allows lighting of lamp
01:17atop the pillar of the Madurai Hill, the Tiruparav Kundram Hill Shrine near Adarga.
01:22Blast state for causing disturbance for political agenda.
01:25DMK government will move the Supreme Court.
01:27It's double trouble for Vijay.
01:31Madras High Court refuses immediate relief to his final film, Jan and I again, yet to receive
01:35censor-board nod ahead of Friday release.
01:40And in the Karoor Stampede, Vijay has been summoned by the CBI on January 12th for questioning
01:45over the tragic incident that claimed 41 lives.
01:50JNU administration initiates Action 6 FIR after alleged provocative chants were made
01:55against Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during a campus event.
02:00The draft voter roll of Uttar Pradesh result nearly 2.9 crore names removed from the list.
02:06TMC, meanwhile, moved Supreme Court over SIR.
02:11Supreme Court has come down hard on the CAQM over air pollution for failing in their duties
02:17as they seem to be in no hurry to identify causes of pollution of finding solutions.
02:24India today's Operation Ayushman Impact.
02:27Governments of Delhi, Punjab, Himachal and Nuttar Pradesh promise action after cameras got
02:31hospitals and doctors outrightly denying treatment to Ayushman Bharat scheme beneficiaries.
02:39Bombay High Court states Maharashtra cricket body elections amid allegations of nepotism
02:43involving Sharath Pawar's grandson, M.C.A. Chairman Rohit Pawar.
02:48No end to Hindu hater, Bangladesh.
02:5040-year-old Sharath Chakrabarty now dies after being attacked with sharp weapons.
02:54Hours after a journalist was killed, six Hindus have been killed in the last one month alone.
02:59Bangladeshi peser, Mujtasifur Rahman, is unlikely to be compensated by KKR or BCCI
03:06after he was released from IPR in 2026.
03:12A scathing order from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court where not just did they
03:17uphold their previous order but also pulled up the Stalin government saying law and order
03:21is a responsibility of the government, saying political leanings cannot go ahead and mire this
03:26particular issue. Joining me here on India today is Kushbu Sundar, Vice President of BJP in Tamil Nadu.
03:34Thank you very much for your time. Ma'am Vanakkam, first of all, I want to get a sense of what you
03:39really think of the order that came in from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court today.
03:43Through all of this, and we've seen this particular Tiruparam Kundrami issue snowball into a huge
03:48controversy. One question that constantly comes up is why?
03:52Why is the DMK government hell-bent on not allowing the lamp to be lit at the Deepatun?
03:59It's very clear the way DMK government is functioning. It's always been my way or highway.
04:04The faith of the people, what they have in lighting the lamp on top of the hill at Tiruparam Kundram.
04:10And this is not something new. This has been going on for many, many, many years. And they
04:16saying, are giving a very insane reason for not lighting, saying that there's a dargah next to it
04:22and citing a law and order. I think it's very clear that they are trying to come up with
04:29appeasement politics when it comes to the minorities. We at BJP have been saying that we are very,
04:36very secular. It's not about Hinduism. And it's all about people's faith, which we trust.
04:42And I would like to ask DMK time and again, whether it's DMK, whether the partner in crime
04:47ally of Congress, or whether it's DMC or anyone for that matter, what is happening in West Bengal at
04:52the moment, with six Hindus being killed in over a month, I would like to ask them, how long will
04:58they go ahead with this kind of an appeasement politics for the minorities? If they call themselves
05:02as secular, they should also be protecting the Hindus as well. Why is it they always look at
05:08the production and the thoughts and the ideas and the sentiments of the Hindus?
05:15You're calling this appeasement politics. The DMK, meanwhile, maintains that there's no history or
05:21any recording that suggests that the Deepum was ever lit at the Deepatum. So they're claiming this is
05:27a figment of imagination and a manufactured controversy by your party, by the BJP.
05:33And what about the courts? What about this high court? What about the Madhuri bench court? Why is it
05:37that they had brought in impeachment against Justice Swaminathan? If there's no history to it, are they
05:42trying to say that the law in our country, the judges or the benches, whoever is there in front of
05:50the law? They all are uneducated. They do not have any sense. They are just blindly following some
05:56rules. What are they trying to say? Do they even understand that they are trying to prove that how
06:02basically they have been talking nonsense and they have been trying to uproot the faith of the people?
06:08Why was this controversy? It started because DMK denied it. So let them answer the quotes now where
06:14even today, the Madras court and Madras high court with Madhuri bench has said that the Deepum should
06:22be lit. So are they going to tell the judges, are they going to tell the law that there's no history
06:27to it? Because the constant contention from the DMK is we've never seen these kind of issues
06:33previously in Tamil Nadu. There's never been, you know, a controversy over the lighting of a Deepum.
06:38There's never been communal tensions. So they're claiming that all of this is new now with the entry of the
06:43BJP, that the BJP is propping up these issues. They're scared. The fear is very clearly written
06:50on their faces where they feel that BJP is going to take over the power from them. Today, people of
06:56Tamil Nadu are very clear that they want to change. The kind of support NDR Alliance has been receiving
07:03with ADMK and BJP and Alliance, the kind of support we have been receiving from people, the fear has
07:08clearly set in DMK. They know this is the last tail end, the fag end of their political journey as far
07:16as DMK is concerned. So they will try every trick around the corner, every trick possible, every clown
07:22who takes the circus, you know. So this is how they have been behaving, the clowns of the circus, that
07:27they want to make a circus of this political issue. And they become the clown in the end. So we are just
07:33watching the clowns perform at the circus, is what I would like to say.
07:37Khrushma Sundar, you know, one contention of the state government, and this is a rather serious one,
07:41they cite law and order. They say that if we allow the Deepam to be lit, there will be riots in
07:46Tiruparam Kundram, which is why we cannot allow it. Now that I'm sure you will concede as a genuine
07:50concern and one that needs to be addressed.
07:54Any kind of criminal disharmony is not accepted, whether it's Tamil Nadu or any part of the country.
07:59We at BJP, with the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we have been making it very
08:04clear that we do not appreciate any kind of communal disharmony. When DMK cites, please be very clear
08:13that they are capable of creating troubles in the name of religion. We have seen it in the past,
08:20we have seen it very recently, we have even seen it what happened very recently at different issues
08:25in Tamil Nadu. They are quite capable of creating this kind of a disharmony just to claim that see
08:32what we said was right. What they did when Vijay was having a meeting at Karoor, we have seen that
08:37how very wantedly they had given a very small place knowing very well that there's going to be a crowd.
08:42And even now with Tirupur and Kundram, they are doing the same. They're citing we definitely do not
08:47appreciate or we accept any kind of disharmony. We believe in secularism, but it's the DMK who has
08:54been trying to send this message across people's mind that if the Deepam is lit atop the hill,
09:01please start a problem. So this is the basic, when I say clowns, this is the basic tricks of the clowns
09:09in a circus, which the DMK is trying to put across the people's mind.
09:13That's a grave charge. You're essentially suggesting that you won't be surprised if we see violence
09:18playing out, when or if the Deepam is lit. Do you think, Kushku Sundar, now with what's happened,
09:25with what's happened in the Madras High Court, that finally we're going to see the Deepam being lit
09:29at the Deepatul?
09:31Yes, we will make sure that the Deepam is lit. It's not BJP. Please understand, BJP is not Tamil Nadu,
09:38but the people of Tamil Nadu. It's not the BJP who are opposing. The people of Tamil Nadu who have this
09:43complete faith in lighting the Deepam atop the Tirupuram Kondram Hill. It's their faith we have
09:49been fighting for. People have been fighting for their own faith and religion. And I think with DMK,
09:56I would like to tell them, please do not come into, you know, hide behind a mask of saying that
10:03we are secular and we are trying to protect the people. In fact, it's you. I am not accusing them.
10:09I am very blatantly on this channel. I am telling them that you are quite capable of creating a
10:18disharmony among the people of Tamil Nadu in the name of religion. With elections around the corner,
10:24DMK is capable of anything and everything. Please allow us to light the Deepam. And we in Tamil Nadu
10:31believe in living in harmony, respecting each other's faith, each other's religions, each other's
10:36communities. So you don't try to create a problem between us. Keep your political agenda of creating
10:42disharmony away. This is a political time. You'll find better place and better platform to speak on
10:48those lines. But let us completely trust and follow our faith, which we believe in.
10:53My final question to you, Khrushpu Sundar, is you mentioned the elections. We're a few months away
10:57from that crucial assembly election in Tamil Nadu. Do you think that voters also will consider what's
11:04been happening at Tiruparang Kundram as one of the core issues? Because the DMK maintains that
11:08ultimately, this has never happened in Tamil Nadu, that we see this kind of a showdown and that
11:14politically, it simply doesn't matter. For them, they do not understand that many times we have
11:20seen how Hindus have been suppressed. In the name of minority, the majority has been suppressed.
11:26Now is a time where the majority has woken up and said that we also need to fight for our rights.
11:30And with the elections around the corner, BJP is never going to use Hinduism or anything as a part
11:37of political agenda. For us, it's the people we work for. Please send me one. I would like to ask
11:44DMK. One policy or a scheme brought in by the prime minister, and let me tell you, it's always
11:49Pradhan Mantri. It's not named by any of the political leaders. It's always Pradhan Mantri.
11:54So any of the Pradhan Mantri, Yojanas or the schemes we have come out with, does it say that
12:00this is only for the majority community? It's not for the minorities, people who vote for BJP,
12:05people who do not vote for BJP. These schemes, these policies, everything belongs to the people
12:11of this country, irrespective of the religion, community or their faith. And I think this is one
12:17thing which the DMK and other political parties who are opposing BJP, they need to understand
12:23it's only BJP who's working for the people and not in the name of religion. Because here
12:29you have Rahul Gandhi suddenly becoming a Shiv Bhaktan and wearing Janow and walking around.
12:36And suddenly you have the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. M. K. Stalin and his other leaders
12:42of the party standing outside the temple or outside the Masoodi with a topi and, you know,
12:48with vibhudi and everything. Then it's fine for them. Then they become Hindus. Then they become
12:52everything else because then they want the vote of the people. BJP doesn't do that. We believe in
12:57secularism and we will follow it.
12:59But ultimately, Kushpo Sundar, you will concede that whether it was 2021 or 2024, majority,
13:05minority, the DMK emerged victor, irrespective of community.
13:09That's that's perfectly fine, because we have seen except for one, which happened when
13:14Madam Jalalitha was alive, where we have seen she winning back to back. But we have always seen
13:19Tamil Nadu, where first five years, somebody else rules, the next five years, the other political
13:24party rules. So I think it's time for a change. And the change is now. And the change is India
13:30alliance with AIDMK and BJP coming to power.
13:32Okay, Kushpo Sundar, we'll leave it at that. Nandri, thank you very much for joining us here on India today.
13:40So let's break down for you exactly what played out in the court today. The Madras High Court,
13:45the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has again given its nod for lighting the Deepum atop
13:51the Tirupara Kundram hill stripe. But the war is far from over. The DMK has said we're going to
13:55continue this legal fight. We'll take this up in the Supreme Court as well. Let's round up all the
14:01updates for you before we open this up.
14:03In a crushing blow to the Stalin government and in a big win for Hindu outfits,
14:09the Madras High Court has rejected the state government's petition,
14:13blocking the lighting of the Deepum atop the Tirupara Kundram in Madurai. The court said that
14:18the ancient Deepathun sits on the Devastanam temple land and upheld the devotee's right to light the Deepum.
14:26The High Court slammed the DMK government saying that peace can't be breached unless it is state-sponsored
14:31and warning that the state should not stoop for political goals.
14:35It also accused the administration of attempting to pit two communities against each other
14:39and labelled the work board's claim on the land as mischievous. The bench stressed that the government
14:44is responsible for public peace and concluded with a message for all, let there be light, not fight.
14:50It's the United States.
15:05The United States.
15:07The United States.
15:10The controversy arose over whether the Kartikai Deepam could be lit near a dargah, with the
15:33DMK citing law and order fears are claimed that the court dismissed as baseless.
15:37Justice J.R. Swaminathan, who delivered the earlier single judge verdict approving the Deepam,
15:43had said that he hoped to light the lamp himself one day.
16:07The opposition hailed the high court decision, calling out the DMK for blatant misuse of
16:13power and urging the government to respect the rule of law.
16:16Justices G.J. Chandran and Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan have shown that the DMK and the India Alliance
16:31is anti-Hindu and directed that the lamp be lit at the hilltop.
16:38But the Deepam war is still not over, as the DMK government is challenging the high court
16:43verdict in the Supreme Court.
16:45The lighting of the Kartikai Deepam continues to remain a big flashpoint ahead of the upcoming
17:09assembly polls in Tamil Nadu.
17:39Okay, joining us here on Super 6, we've got Selam Dhani Dharan, spokesperson of the DMK,
17:45Kovai Satyan, spokesperson of the AIA DMK, SG Surya, spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu BJP
17:50and also Youth Wing State President in Tamil Nadu.
17:53Vanakam, thank you all very much for your time.
17:55Dhani Dharan, I'd like to begin with you on the scathing observations that were made by
17:59the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court.
18:01All petitions set aside, they've asked once again for the Deepam to be lit atop the Deepatun
18:06and particularly suggested that the DMK government is acting out of political leaning.
18:13DMK government is not acting out of political leaning, but DMK government is listening to
18:17the voice of the people and making a decision to make sure that the customary practice of
18:21where the Deepam has been lit to be continued.
18:24It is not a practice followed by the DMK government, it is a practice that has followed for decades,
18:28hundreds of years.
18:29Even if Jairil, the AIA DMK's leader, was alive, she would have contested this verdict.
18:34In fact, under her regime in 1995 also, there was a court case and the government said the
18:38Deepam should be lit where it has been lit, at the Uchipalaya Temple.
18:42Subsequently, in her regime also, the same thing was followed.
18:45It is not that only DMK is doing this, the AIA DMK are following it.
18:48That is why Kovai Satyan's party leaders, Jai Kumar, Aswaj Sallu, Raju,
18:52both of them had gone on in record in the TV saying that the customary practice should be followed.
18:58Otherwise, there will be religious disharmony and it is culturally also wrong.
19:01This is the fact of the matter.
19:03And again, who is in charge of the temples in Tamil Nadu for the last 100 years?
19:08It is the HRNCE.
19:09So HRNCE, the temple administration, will decide whether Deepam...
19:12No, but are you suggesting the court has no local standard in this matter to go ahead and deliver a verdict?
19:19See, court can abjudicate, but we have to administer.
19:22The court has the local standard on this matter.
19:25That is why we have said that we reject the verdict.
19:26But they are saying that too.
19:27The court is saying that law and order is something the Stalin government is in charge of.
19:31So maintain law and order and light the lamp.
19:33That's the court's suggestion.
19:35See, that's what I'm saying.
19:36Court's abjudicate and the government's administer.
19:39Right?
19:40In administration, the police institution knows what can create law and order problems.
19:45And also, we have the will of the people by the fact that we are in power.
19:48We know what the people want.
19:49In the sense, not we want.
19:50We know.
19:51They said we hear from the people and we follow what the devotees want.
19:54One individual, Rama Ravikumar, cannot represent from the Hindu Munnani with a political inclination.
20:01So the political bias cannot represent the entire Muruga devotees.
20:04No, but this is not just about the petition.
20:06I'm sorry, there's an order that's come from the court.
20:08We can't be just citing what the petitioner has said.
20:10Yeah, there's an order that's come from the court.
20:12The judges...
20:12Order has come.
20:13Order has come.
20:14Order has come.
20:15That is why I'm saying, why do we have different layers in the court?
20:18Why do you have a session's court?
20:19Why do you have a district court?
20:21Why do you have a single bench?
20:22Why do you have the multiple benches?
20:24And why do you have a supreme court?
20:26Which means that we will appeal this order in supreme court.
20:30Sure.
20:30You're free to do that, which is what also the Stalin government has done.
20:33Kovey Satyan is also with us on this broadcast.
20:36Mr. Kovey Satyan, you heard what the DMK said.
20:38They're saying nothing's different here.
20:39The AIA-DMK had a similar stand.
20:44To take asylum under AIA-DMK and the past of AIA-DMK
20:48clearly reflects the incompetence of MKS and his governments.
20:52This is yet another time where the incompetence of DMK is clearly exposed.
20:56And what many more statements should the court make?
21:00They cited it's going to be a law and order issue.
21:03The court clearly said it is not a law and order issue.
21:06It's there in your imagination.
21:08And no persons from Tamil Nadu has advocated or supported the actions of DMK post the verdict came.
21:15AIA-DMK stand is very clear.
21:17No one is above the law.
21:19When the court has given a verdict, you are a dutiful, you are bound to abide by the judgment.
21:25And you can't take law into your own hands and you cannot show high-handedness like this.
21:29And here the spokesperson of DMK talks about customary practices of Hindu religion,
21:34wherein their minister Ragupati is comparing the customary practices with lighting a fire of a disease in the crematorium.
21:41So does this premise anyway be compared to a crematorium?
21:46So this is what they are about.
21:47Their DNA is they want to play divisive politics because elections are around the corner.
21:52And they want to see bloodbath in Tamil Nadu in the name of religion.
21:56That's very clear and evident.
21:57And one more point of concern is, Udainiti Stalin's fortune for 2026 is severely dependent on appeasing minorities.
22:06His constituency, CHPAC, had 52,000 minorities out of 2,30,000 votes.
22:12Now it is reduced to 35,000 out of 1,50,000.
22:15Which means that clearly 20% plus is represented by minority in the CHPAC constituency if he wants to contest in the upcoming elections.
22:22And they are helping to appease them.
22:25And their actions are directly proportional to the upcoming assembly elections.
22:29They don't care about law.
22:31They don't care about societal harmony.
22:33Nor they care about Hindu religion.
22:35Nor they care about Hindu customs.
22:36Danidharan, your response before I bring in S.C. Surya, please.
22:38Divisive politics and vote-bank politics.
22:40Danidharan, your response quickly.
22:43Our job is to maintain religious harmony, which is of profound importance.
22:47I would like to ask Kovai Satyan, what is his stance?
22:49Does he believe Deepam should be lit where the quota has ordered,
22:51where it should be lit like how Jayal Alta has also followed in the Uchipalaya temple?
22:55That is my question.
22:56What does he think?
22:57I can answer your question.
22:58First, go and study the case which was filed in 2014.
23:01That was for a different prayer.
23:03That was not a prayer like this.
23:04So get your answer.
23:05First, then come and ask me questions.
23:07On my stand is very clear.
23:10Follow the law.
23:11Abide by the court decision.
23:14You are not about the court, you are not about the law, you do not have a high-handedness when it comes to law.
23:22You are getting angry, but the whole point is, where was it lit during the Jayal Alta, Rajit?
23:26It was lit in the Uchipalaya temple.
23:28What is the prayer?
23:29Which year are you referring to?
23:31Danidharan, which year are you referring to?
23:32Now you breathe the media, what was the prayer in 2014 when our Amma was there?
23:36What was the prayer?
23:39What was the prayer?
23:40Now you tell me.
23:402014, what was the prayer of the petitioner?
23:43Where was the Deepam lit?
23:44Where was the Deepam lit?
23:46No, no, no.
23:46That's why.
23:47First, go educate yourself and then come.
23:49The prayer is very simple.
23:51The place where it is going to be lit is not supposed to be lit, is the prayer.
23:57It is not about lit in another location.
23:59He says, lighting lamp goes against Agama principles.
24:03Then the court asked him where it has been cited in Agama.
24:06The petitioner couldn't prove it.
24:08So that was a different prayer altogether.
24:10Now go get yourself educated.
24:11Then you can pull around the people.
24:12I am not going to the prayer.
24:13I am not going to the same prayer.
24:15Okay, time out, time out.
24:15One second.
24:15Let me bring in S.G. Surya.
24:16Let me bring in S.G. Surya as well.
24:18No, no, no.
24:19Listen.
24:19I come to you, Danidharan.
24:20Just give me a second.
24:21Let's bring in S.G. Surya.
24:22He's been waiting rather patiently.
24:24S.G. Surya, your response to the DMK saying,
24:26there's no proof whatsoever.
24:27It's never been lit at the Deepatun.
24:29Why are we now raising this issue?
24:31No, Achita.
24:33The beauty of DMK is the obfuscation of facts even in the national television shamelessly.
24:38He says about the 1990s judgment and he brings in former Chief Minister Jainalit Amma into the picture.
24:46The 1996 judgment was delivered on 21st November 1996 when DMK was in government, not when ADMK was in government.
24:55In 2014, the prayer was completely different.
24:57In fact, every petition filed before regarding the Deepatun, the prayers have been different.
25:03And that is why Resjudicator did not apply in this case, which has been clearly mentioned by both the judges,
25:09not only J.R. Swaminathan, but the two-bundh judges also.
25:13So, the DMK cannot keep on harping about the Resjudicator judgment.
25:17The court has clearly ruled Resjudicator will not apply here because the prayers in different petitions were different in nature.
25:24Secondly, you know the Tirupuram Kundram Hill is 175 acres in land measurement.
25:29The Nellitov, which is owned by the Muslim community, is only 33 cents.
25:35The Darga, which is owned by the Muslims, is only less than 50 cents.
25:39In total, out of the 175 acres, only 83 cents, which is less than an acre, is owned by the Muslim community.
25:48The judges, when they said today that the state government is trying to create communal harmony,
25:52there cannot be a better statement because until this judgment, there was no rift between Hindus and the Muslims.
25:59Today, the Darga is claiming that the Deepatun belongs to the Darga.
26:05So, that is where the problem comes.
26:06It has already settled dispute in the 1920s that the land ownership is clearly marked.
26:14The Deepatun falls under the 175-acre property, which is owned by the Tirupuram Kundram Hill,
26:20which is again owned by the temple management.
26:23Today, DMK has created a Hindu-Muslim rift by making the Darga to claim the property of the temple to be the property of the Darga.
26:31That is where the problem is.
26:33This is what we have been claiming from the first day.
26:37Previously, we have never got a favorable order from the court to light the lamp in Deepatun.
26:43Now, the question whether the lamp was lit in Deepatun or the current Utsipalya temple does not arise because it is already settled.
26:51We have been telling that it is Deepatun where the lamp was lit for thousands of years.
26:55Only after the Britishers, this Utsipalya temple place has come where the lamp is being lit.
27:01Everybody in Tirupuram Kundram, they clearly tell the current place is for the Moksha Deepam.
27:07Today, near the Utsipalya temple, people light the lamp to tell the village that somebody has died in the village.
27:15It is not the place for the Karthikei Deepam.
27:17There are enough scriptures to vouch for this.
27:20Ultimately, ultimately, Dhani Dhani, the question that will come up is if the court has ordered it, why not go ahead and allow it?
27:28Okay, see, I think earlier, can you hear me?
27:30Yeah.
27:30Can you hear me?
27:32No, earlier, I think they both confused with the prayer.
27:34The point is HRNC is in charge of lighting the Deepatun wherever it wanted to.
27:39So, for 15 years, Jayaralata's rule happened in Tamil Nadu.
27:42Then HRNC was under her control.
27:45Why was it not lit where the current AADMK wants it to be lit?
27:49That's the question.
27:50The prayer is relevant.
27:51Because there was no favorable court order, Dhani Dhani.
27:54We have been fighting for 40 years.
27:5640 years we were fighting.
27:58No, no, no, no.
27:5940 years we fought.
28:00Only now we got the favorable order.
28:02Okay, okay.
28:02Let Dhani Dhani respond.
28:04I think he is speaking for AADMK.
28:06That will show that BJP has unfortunately taken over the AADMK.
28:10The whole point is not even a single prayer made by the state government under Jayalilta's regime
28:15said that this is not where the light should be lit.
28:18Can anyone prove otherwise?
28:19No.
28:19Maybe they can line the TV.
28:20But can they show any documentary events?
28:22No.
28:22I can give you all the documents.
28:23No, but Kovai Satyam was responding to that.
28:25That is why the AADMK leaders itself had come and said, Jai Kumar as well as Selur Raju,
28:33you can't deny that, have said the customary practice should continue and religious harmony
28:38should be maintained.
28:39This temple, Tirupara Kundram, is a global example of religious harmony.
28:43At the foothills, there are both Hindus and Muslims having their shops.
28:47When the Deepam is lit in Uchi Paliya temple, even the Muslims come.
28:51When functions in Durga, I mean in Darga happens, even the Hindus go and participate.
28:58It is an example for religious harmony.
29:00That anti-social element.
29:02So let Kovai Satyam respond.
29:04No, let me.
29:05That an anti-social element wants to describe.
29:07Why is the religious harmony?
29:08There is a constant charge from the DLK right now, Kovai Satyam.
29:12Is it?
29:12No, no.
29:12Nothing's changed.
29:13This was the stand of the AADMK.
29:14What is the matter?
29:15What is the BJP's interest in this?
29:17Why is BJP going into the petition?
29:19Lying and misquoting, lying shamelessly and misquoting are the art of the DNA of DMK.
29:26Our leader said maintain social order and harmony.
29:29Is that the stand of DMK which stands clearly exposed in the judiciary today?
29:34It is the same statement of DMK which said we have to keep the law and order issue.
29:38There is a law and order.
29:39Court said it is imaginary.
29:40They failed.
29:41They are the one who tried to divide people based on religion and they stand exposed today.
29:48And how many more lies they will peddle to the people of Tamil Nadu?
29:52An issue which could have been sorted out by mutual discussion among the vested interest parties.
29:57This DMK government went all out, took the law into their own hands, arm twisted everybody
30:02and trying to paint a picture of religious divide for World Bank qualities.
30:06How more cheaper they can stoop low?
30:09And how can a minister compare a customary practice of one religion with lighting fire
30:13of a deceased in a crematorium?
30:15Aren't they ashamed of themselves to make these kinds of comparisons?
30:18And every time they come out and say this was what practiced earlier, 20, 14 case, 15 case,
30:24they don't even get themselves updated on what was the prayer and what is the case all about.
30:27So let's settle this one.
30:28No, tell me what is the need to go for an appeal today just to prove a point that yes,
30:32they were right.
30:33Does the AI ADNK believe the Deepam should be later the Deepatun?
30:37Yes or no?
30:37Because that's the question Danid Arana ultimately is asking.
30:39Ma'am, respect religious beliefs.
30:45You tell me now which minority community has come in front and staged a roadroko or dharna
30:50in Madurai stating that Hindus should not light the lamp there.
30:55There were no issues from anyone.
30:56Everyone are in harmony.
30:58And Hindu custom doesn't go by what is being followed.
31:01Lighting a lamp is a belief.
31:03And that's it.
31:04Anybody can light a lamp anywhere they like, they feel like.
31:07It has got nothing to do with infringing the other's religious beliefs or whatever it is.
31:12When the Deepatun is 50 meters away,
31:14when 2004 when an Amma called for a peace meeting meeting,
31:18the Muslim community said we are okay with lighting the lamp beyond 15 meters.
31:22We are okay with it, which was agreed upon.
31:25Now this DMK government lied first.
31:27That the Deepatun is not a Deepatun, it is a survey stone.
31:30By Kani Muli, she lied.
31:32So clear answer there from Kowai Sake.
31:34Danidari, your question has been answered.
31:36Then they said it is well within the 15 meters, which was agreed earlier.
31:39Now they stand exposed.
31:40How many more lies they will peddle for their own World Bank politics and narratives?
31:45Okay, Danidaran respond.
31:46Danidaran respond.
31:47Your question has been answered.
31:48Abide by the law.
31:49You are not above the law.
31:51Your question has been answered.
31:52Danidaran.
31:53It's my time.
31:54See, apart from listening to the people, right?
31:58The petitioner, not the BJP, represent the people of Tamil Nadu.
32:01We have 50% vote share.
32:02Majority are Hindus.
32:0385% of the population in Tamil Nadu is Hindus.
32:05Majority of them vote for the DMK as per the electoral election track record 2019, 2024, and 2021.
32:12Apart from what is also pertinent is maintaining law and order is a state's responsibility.
32:17We know the BJP's template from the beginning of 1990s, how they created religious disharmony using religion.
32:23We have seen it in Ayodhya.
32:25We have seen it in Yanwapi.
32:26We have seen it in before election.
32:27This is a template.
32:28But it is our job to maintain law and order.
32:30You may come and ask me.
32:31The court has told otherwise.
32:32But what if that march was allowed and the communal disharmony has happened and people have lost life?
32:36There was violence when the Deepam wasn't allowed to be lit either.
32:42No, but there was no loss of life.
32:43We have maintained to the best of circumstances.
32:46How do you know what would have happened if the Deepam was allowed to be lit?
32:49We are not God.
32:49Even the judiciary is not God to foresee what would have otherwise happened if this event was allowed to happen.
32:54Fine.
32:55SG Surya, is this ultimately law and order issue?
32:58The Tamil Nadu government says we have to ensure that there is no riot, no communal violence that breaks out.
33:03So, Akshita, I have only one question.
33:07Dhani Dharan claims that we have religious harmony.
33:11If the religious harmony really exists, why would there be a problem in lighting a lamp in the property of the temple?
33:18If there is real harmony, I think there shouldn't be any problem.
33:21This clearly says they are creating religious problems in Tamil Nadu because it will suit their agenda.
33:28Secondly, tell me, Akshita, the government has spent more than…
33:30This is a manufactured controversy by the BJP.
33:32Of course it is.
33:33Not at all.
33:34See, the government has spent more than 40 crores arguing this case in front of various benches,
33:40hiring various lawyers in the last three years in different cases.
33:44Tell me, is this really worth to fight a case spending 40 crores for a case like this,
33:49where the HRNC supposedly should stand with the devotees?
33:53It is not standing with the devotees.
33:54It is standing with the anti-Hindu DMK government.
33:57That is where the problem comes because there is no elected representatives in the Devaswam board.
34:04They are all DMK-appointed functionaries in the temple board.
34:07That is the problem.
34:09If there is an elected member from the society in the Devaswam board,
34:12the temple committee in itself will argue for the lamp to be lit in Debatun only.
34:17It will not argue for the lamp to be lit in the Uchiplaya temple campus.
34:21That is the problem.
34:23The DMK has monopolized the HRNC department.
34:27There are no Hindu devotees in the management.
34:29It is only DMK proxies in the temple management.
34:32That is why political stands are taken by the temple.
34:35Tell me, why will a temple go to a court for an order that is against the Hindus?
34:40No, so what SG Surya has raised here is what the court also has said, Dhani, Dhani,
34:45that political leanings is what's leading to the DMK not allowing the Deepam to be lit at the Deepatun.
34:50You're closing comment before I wrap this up, Dhani, Dhani, your response to what the BGB and EIG said.
34:54No, no, no, this is absolutely not true.
34:56There is no need for religious appeasement in Tamil Nadu because we don't differentiate between religions.
35:01There's only one identity.
35:02No, but if there is no appeasement, if there is no religious appeasement,
35:05if an order has come saying go ahead and light a lamp, why isn't it done?
35:09You're citing law and order. There was violence that broke out.
35:11And the court too has said that law and order, yes, is something the Stalin government must ensure.
35:17That is what I'm saying.
35:18There is no proof of a Deepam ever being lit where these people wanted to be lit.
35:23And BJP nor SG Surya, my dear friend, nor the ADMK, are representing the Hindus, not the devotees.
35:32Get it very clear? BJP shows up 3% in Tamil Nadu.
35:35So how do I say that they have the legitimacy to represent the devotees?
35:38No, but as you say that you are representing the people of Tamil Nadu, the petitioners can come out and say we're representing a community.
35:48But then we are legitimately elected by the people, not godly ordained power.
35:52As FG Surya said, HRNC is controlled by the DMK.
35:55We have not derived our power from God.
35:59We have derived our power from the people.
36:00That is why when HRNC takes the decision, it indirectly will love the people of Tamil Nadu.
36:05That is the whole point here that we have to note.
36:08And what we have also not understood is we are not against Deepam being lit.
36:11It is only the customary practice has to be followed like it has been followed by hundreds of years.
36:16I'm going to.
36:18Okay.
36:18So it is a wrong observation by the court to say that we are politically motivated.
36:23Rather, the petitioner is politically motivated.
36:25BJP, the party which has affiliation to BJP is politically motivated.
36:28You're suggesting that you're suggesting essentially this is a wrong observation by the court, Tarnidharan.
36:34See, no one has got to make always a right observation, which is why we are going to go for an appeal.
36:39That is why we have different processes.
36:40How do you say this is politically motivated when the petitioner itself...
36:44I have one question, Akshita, please.
36:46I have only one question, Akshita.
36:49Tell me.
36:50Surya, quickly.
36:51No, no, no.
36:52Tomorrow they go to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court rules in favor of lighting a lamp in Deepatun.
36:58What will be DMK's time?
37:00That is my question.
37:01Can Darnidharan answer?
37:02Because it is very obvious that they are going to lose in the Supreme Court.
37:06They are going to lose very badly in the Supreme Court.
37:07Darnidharan, quickly your response.
37:08Tell me what will be your answer.
37:11So, what is that?
37:12If we win the case, what will Surya say?
37:13We can't answer on speculation.
37:15The matter will be subjudiced.
37:17We will get the...
37:17We have been losing the case for 40 years.
37:20Only now we are one.
37:21What if Modi government will lose its majority tomorrow?
37:23No, no, no.
37:24Let's...
37:24We are going to a whole lot of what-ifs right now.
37:27We are going to...
37:27Yes, exactly.
37:28He started the what-ifs.
37:29Okay.
37:29So, we will wait.
37:30We will wait for what happens.
37:31We will wait for what happens in the Supreme Court.
37:33But clearly, even based on what's happened now in the Madri...
37:36Okay, go ahead.
37:37Kovey Satim, quickly, please.
37:38Because you wanted to give it...
37:39I wanted to give you a chance to make closing comments.
37:41This is not a disputed side.
37:44This is not a disputed side.
37:46The issue became disputable after the elected government took a stand based on religion.
37:51Okay.
37:51They claim they are unsecular.
37:53But they took a stand on religion lines.
37:55And they want to drive a narrative.
37:57My request to N.K.
37:58Stalin...
37:59Ultimately, ultimately...
37:59I'm completely out of time.
38:01I'm completely out of time.
38:02I apologize.
38:03Ultimately, look with the order that's come in from the Madri bench of the Madras High Court.
38:07Are we going to be seeing the Deepa Milit?
38:09No, because the Stalin government has now moved the Supreme Court.
38:12So, that legal fight continues.
38:13I'd like to thank Kovey Satim, Dhani Dharan, as well as S.G. Surya for joining us here on India Today.
38:19Talapati Vijay's much-anticipated film, perpetually his last, Jananayagan, has hit a major roadblock.
38:26Remember, it's set to release in a few days from now, on January 9th.
38:30But it's not received any census certificate just yet.
38:33So, it's awaiting that clearance, prompting them to go ahead and move the Madras High Court.
38:38Let's get you a report on exactly what played out in the court.
38:41No relief for now for Jananayagan.
39:03Talapati Vijay is gearing up to grace the silver screen one last time,
39:10before completely dedicating himself to his political journey.
39:23Vijay's Jananayagan is being promoted as a landmark film,
39:27not just for Vijay, but for millions of fans who have followed his cinematic journey for decades.
39:33However, the film's journey to theatres is proving to be a tough one.
39:46Originally scheduled for release on Jan. 9th,
39:50the film now appears stalled due to pending clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification.
39:57After Vijay and his team approached the Madras High Court,
40:00now the court has asked the Censor Board to file its reply in the matter,
40:04seeking an explanation for withholding the certification as the film's release date draws closer.
40:11TVK alleges that the Censor Board is deliberately delaying the certification process for political reasons.
40:18It looks like a desperate delay made by the Censor Board.
40:25All the fans and all Tamil and the people are waiting for this.
40:29And we are looking forward,
40:31we are looking for at least today, end of the day, if it is issued.
40:35Next week, we have to discuss with our leader and see what needs to be done.
40:38Despite the controversy, excitement around the film remains high.
40:57The two-minute and 52-second trailer showcased Talapati Vijay in a powerful narrative revolving around authority and politics.
41:06As audiences await clarity on the release,
41:24all eyes are now on the High Court and the Censor Board's next move.
41:28One challenge is that the census certification hasn't come through.
41:54The other is that Vijay's Jananayagin is squaring off against Shivakarthi Kidd's Parasakti.
42:00The film is also very interesting because the messaging involved.
42:04Vijay's film is setting the stage for his political launch.
42:08The other hand, Parasakti is all about Dravidian legacy.
42:11I'm leaving you with this report on the Big Pongal Clash in the Box Office.
42:24I'm leaving you with this report.
42:27I'm leaving you with this report.
42:37Praise yourself for a political pongal at the theatre's two in 2026.
42:43That's why Talapati.
42:45Talapati Vijay's biggest yet, Jnanayagin.
42:48Purportedly, his last film is all set for a Big Bang Pongal release on January 9th.
42:57But wait, he's got some fierce competition, not just in the political arena, but in theatres too.
43:09Because now, Sivakarthikian's much-anticipated Parashakti is set to release a day later on January 10th.
43:18But why is this being touted as a political clash?
43:31Because of the title of Sivakarthikian's film, famously associated with Karna Nidhi,
43:37as it was the title of a hit movie starring Shivaji Ganeshan and written by Kalayeng.
43:42Sivakarthikian's film is also reportedly based on the anti-Hindi imposition movement,
43:53spearheaded by students in the 1970s.
43:56Again, a clear indication that it's touching upon the roots of Dravidianism and the birth of the DMK.
44:02So it looks like the battle of ideologies will now play out on the big screen.
44:11Vijay's Jananayagan, remember, will spearhead Vijay's political movement.
44:16The film title, which translates to Hero of Democracy, will no doubt be loaded with political symbolism.
44:23Sample this moment in the trailer, showing a car with the number plate CM2026.
44:29The character of the protagonist, played by Vijay, also bears the initial of TVK.
44:40No coincidence, since that's now his party's name.
44:44Vijay also set all speculation to rest at the film's mega audio launch,
44:50calling Jananayagan his last film.
44:52He said the title, and he said it was definitely seen in the party's life.
44:57I'm sorry.
44:59I haven't read the title, but I'm going to read it.
45:01Only the title of Rishi, it's ever been the last film.
45:04He said it was the last film.
45:05He said it was the title, but it's been the title.
45:07He said it was the title.
45:09He said it was the title, and that was the title of the title of the title.
45:14So, will Sivakarthikyan's Parasakti prove to be a challenge for Talapati Vijay's
45:34Jananayagan?
45:35Beyond the success of the film, the biggest challenge for Vijay will be to win the political
45:41symbolism battle in this Bungal clash.
45:45Bureau Report, India Today.
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