Arjun Sampath, leader of Hindu Makkal Katchi, installed a Vinayagar idol at a party member's house in Annur, Coimbatore, after authorities denied permission for public installation. The move comes ahead of Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations.
Coimbatore: In a turn of events, the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) has found a way to celebrate Vinayagar Chaturthi in Annur, Coimbatore district, despite being denied permission by the police and district administration to install Vinayagar idols in public spaces.
For the past two years, HMK officials have been consistently writing to the police and district administration, seeking permission to install and worship Vinayagar idols during the festival. However, their requests have been repeatedly denied, citing the government's stance against allowing new idol installations in public places.
Last week, protesting this denial, HMK leader Arjun Sampath led a demonstration in front of the Annur bus stand. Following the protest, police sources informed the party that high-level officials would discuss and decide on the matter. However, with Vinayagar Chaturthi set to be celebrated tomorrow, permission had still not been granted to the HMK.
In response to this situation, a six-foot Vinayagar idol has been installed at the residence of Kutti Rajendran, an HMK official, located in the AM Palayam area of Annur. Arjun Sampath has stated that this idol installation is being carried out on behalf of the HMK, and worship services will be conducted there.
The police, who had initially planned to arrest Arjun Sampath if an idol was installed in a public place, dispersed from the area upon learning that the installation was taking place within a private residence. This move by the HMK appears to be a strategic response to the authorities' restrictions while still allowing them to proceed with their planned celebrations.
For the past two years, HMK officials have been consistently writing to the police and district administration, seeking permission to install and worship Vinayagar idols during the festival. However, their requests have been repeatedly denied, citing the government's stance against allowing new idol installations in public places.
Last week, protesting this denial, HMK leader Arjun Sampath led a demonstration in front of the Annur bus stand. Following the protest, police sources informed the party that high-level officials would discuss and decide on the matter. However, with Vinayagar Chaturthi set to be celebrated tomorrow, permission had still not been granted to the HMK.
In response to this situation, a six-foot Vinayagar idol has been installed at the residence of Kutti Rajendran, an HMK official, located in the AM Palayam area of Annur. Arjun Sampath has stated that this idol installation is being carried out on behalf of the HMK, and worship services will be conducted there.
The police, who had initially planned to arrest Arjun Sampath if an idol was installed in a public place, dispersed from the area upon learning that the installation was taking place within a private residence. This move by the HMK appears to be a strategic response to the authorities' restrictions while still allowing them to proceed with their planned celebrations.