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The Dig: A deep dive into the past
A phone call regarding a long-form article she had written eight years ago sparked the beginning of this book, Sowmiya Ashok recalls. A writer said that it had a story to tell, a potential to be a book. For the Chennai-based journalist, the news of the Keeladi excavation sparked her fascination with Harappan sites in Pakistan, and it was thrilling to learn that an excavation was underway right next to Madurai, a place closer to her home. She thought the quest might answer questions like who we are. On December 21, this journey of discovery, in the form of a book, The Dig: Keeladi and The Politics of Indias Past , was launched by an eminent archaeologist V Vedachalam. An informative conversation filled with curiosity and humour, between writer Sowmiya and Shabbir Ahmed, senior news editor with The News Minute , was a walk through the process of creating the book. An evening with a coterie of book enthusiasts and well-wishers gathered at Ashvitas a small space reflecting coarseness and elegance with splashes of paintings around. Something so intentionally raw about the room made it the perfect space for a discussion on archaeology and the old remnants. Writing a book, for Sowmiya, was about preparations and frequent journeys. Her philosophy was to show up everywhere, be it an archeology conference, a talk of a script, meeting people, or visits to the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archeology or the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). She calls it the process of trial and error. The journalistic impulses nudged her to keep showing up. As Shabbir pointed out, Keeladi has become a political flash point. He alluded to the political scenario of biased interpretations and conflicting opinions while Sowmiya was writing the book. But the book, he remarked, is far from the political narratives that we have heard over time. Sowmiya said, I stuck to chronology. Its a difficult story to tell, and there were a lot of narratives; everybody had a stake in the game. Anybody who ventured into this, who is not an archaeologist or an epigraphist, sometimes had reasons to say the things they were saying. As someone who believes that archaeology is so politicised in our country, she didnt want to document this excavation site with political narratives. Sowmiya had a clear idea that she wanted to make the book about people who are working despite politics, despite the lack of funds. I spoke to people as wide as I could go. The voices and diversity are what I wanted to capture, she said. But she also shared that this made the story even more complicated, because our origins themselves were complicated. These excavations trace back to the past, where one can see more cultural exchanges and different parts of the subcontinent. There were comparisons made with Harappan sites and the Indus Valley Civilization. She reasoned, Ever since Independence, and we lost these big sites to Pakistan, theres been a quest to find parallels of the Indian sites. Sowmiyas work ethic echoes the words of Vedachalam, who said, An archaeologist should remain balanced. Every site is the same for an archaeologist. Her extensive research not only included conversations with archeologists and experts but also delved into literature. I needed to understand what the literature was if I was writing about a site that relied so much on the references in the literature. This meant digging up the Sangam literature, and the poems that described the physical aspects of the old Tamil region. With layers of excavation, some of the definitions of what constitutes urban is also what Sowmiya writes in her book. What is a marker of urban doesnt have a concrete answer they arent just remnants of structures and materials, she emphasised. More excavations lead to more understanding, and thats what I have tried to say in the book as well, she shared. For her, the process of writing was both exciting and transformative. It was a space for her to understand her own origins, which she says, is more complex than I thought. Every day was a learning experience be it lengthy conversations with experts or close interactions with the locals. Sowmiya recalled her long conversations with K Amarnath Ramakrishna, the then ASIs superintending archaeologist, who initiated the excavation at Keeladi. When asked about the people who are pushing the Archeology Department forward, Sowmiya said that, be it the Archeology Minister or the Commissioner of the Tamil Nadu State Department, there is a political push that stems from their personal passion for history and archaeology. The launch concluded with a reading session, where she presented excerpts from the book. With a tone so light and hearty, words swollen with keen observations, and humour, Sowmiya led the audience to the excavation site. True storytelling indeed.
Midnight mass marks the start of Christmas festivities in Madurai
Vocalist enthrals rasikas with Bharatis songs at Tamil Isai Sangam music festival in Madurai
SC sets aside perverse bail for man who allegedly killed witness
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has set aside an order of the Madras High Court granting bail to a man who was accused of murdering a key eyewitness in an attempt-to-murder case when he was out on bail. After the alleged murder, the trial court had cancelled his bail, but the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had overruled the trial court order, and had restored the bail of the accused. The appeal was filed in the Supreme Court this year against that HC order. Noting that the bail order of the HC was vitiated by perversity, arbitrariness and non-application of mind, a two-judge bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan recently said that the Madras HC had granted bail to the main accused, Gopalakrishnan, and others in the attempt to murder case without considering the fact that the main suspect was also accused of murdering a key eyewitness while he was out on bail. The apex court bench then directed the accused to surrender within two weeks before the trial court. The appellant, Lakshmanan, had been assaulted along with his friend Suresh on February 24, 2020, allegedly by a group led by the first accused, Gopalakrishnan. The attack, which included caste-based abuses, was registered under various sections of the IPC including 307 (attempt to murder) and Section 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST (POA) Act. The accused were granted bail by the trial court in September 2020. While the trial was pending, the accused allegedly murdered Suresh on December 18, 2022. Consequently, a new FIR (Crime No. 202 of 2022) was registered under Section 302 IPC. Citing this grave turn of events, the HC had initially cancelled the earlier bail on March 31, 2023. However, in April 2025, the same HC bench re-granted bail in connection with the earlier case (Crime No. 39/2020) without accounting for this development, leading to the present challenge before the SC. The main thrust of the appellants argument was that the liberty of the accused had already been misused, and their release posed an existential threat to the fairness of the trial and safety of remaining witnesses. It was also argued that the HC erred in mechanically clubbing two distinct cases for a joint trial without legal basis. The respondents/accused are directed to surrender before the jurisdictional trial court within a period of two weeks from today. In the event of their failure to do so, the trial court shall take appropriate steps in accordance with law to secure their custody, the SC said.
Messy Christmas: How chaos and distance in dysfunctional families disrupt celebrations
Its Christmas Eve. A Italian-American family gathers for their traditional feast of the seven fishes. Carmy, the youngest son, who has been working as a chef abroad, comes home to find his mother, Donna, spiralling in the kitchen. Her mood swings wildly between tearful and explosive as she frantically prepares mountains of food. His older brother Mikey seems agitated, almost manic, picking a fight with his mothers boyfriend over something trivial that quickly turns vicious. The house fills with relatives, friends, and neighbours. Everyone talks over everyone. Pots slam, and the noise is overwhelming. When the sister makes a mistake and asks their mother if shes okay, the mother screams, Do I not look okay?. The room freezes. After a moment of pause, the mother drives her car into the dining room, smashing the feast through the wall. Dinner is over before it begins This is a fictional scene from the Emmy-winning series The Bear . But what it portrays is a reality in many families. Perhaps that is why it is one of the most disturbingly chaotic episodes in TV history. Festivals, apart from all the glitter and glory, are also a time for the concealment of wounds and their sudden ruptures. There is the quiet accumulation of past hurt. For some, Christmas arrives with a countdown for survival. Ray* stopped going home for Christmas five years ago. She experienced something unpleasant during the festival and has not celebrated since. Christmas feels like something to get through. Home doesnt feel emotionally safe when Im reliving that memory. So I prefer staying away, she says. For Kevin*, visiting his native place in Madurai was always about endurance. His uncle physically abused him and his sister when they were children. They were clueless. And then he would buy them ice cream and soup. They thought it was normal. They never told their father, knowing it would become a family issue. There were times when you felt so vulnerable, and your mother couldnt do anything. Everyone sees it, and its normalised. Even now, I dont have closure, Kevin says. The labour no one sees Gender roles are rigidly enforced during festivals, observes Ruchika*. As a child, she climbed lofts and fetched decorations. It even came with a sense of validation that she was physically capable. But after a certain age, I was strictly told not to involve myself in decorating. My younger brother had grown older. It became his territory. Suddenly, these tasks were no longer appropriate for women, she says. Asking for help, especially from Ruchika, was always difficult for her mother. Theres this belief that daughters are meant to be married off, that educating them doesnt benefit the household, she says. Observing a similarity, Kevin notes that at his native place, women did most of the household work cooking, serving, and cleaning. Men bought groceries, and women served men and children first, and ate later. Namitha recalls Easter lunches that were served at her fathers house. My female cousins and I would set tables and serve while my brother sat comfortably and opted out, she says. When she questioned it, she was told to stay quiet and not embarrass the family. I remember feeling unheard and isolated while everyone else laughed and ate, she says. At Ruchikas home, she often became the emotional buffer. If her parents fought, she mediated. Otherwise, their frustration was taken out on her. Maintaining the mood of the house became my responsibility. That labour is invisible. When my brother drives my parents somewhere, his act of taking them out is praised. My emotional labour just disappears into thin air, she shares. This is probably why some, like Komal K, associate festivals with exhaustion long before they begin. I have to go through an excruciating amount of physical labour of planning and (sometimes) preparing food that will be liked and approved by everyone, serving it according to each of their preferences, while also keeping kids engaged so that they dont create a mess in my home, or hurt themselves, she says, adding I become a person I dont recognise. I put up a fake smile and talk to relatives who have wronged me. The house fills with noise fights, tears, phone calls to distant relatives, even threats of ending relationships. Grief is repeatedly brought up, even after she has learned to live with it. Crying is not an option. If she tries to assert her boundaries and says no to not seeing relatives, elders ask her Why do you want to spoil everyones happy mood on an auspicious and happy day? No one asks about my happiness, she says. Once everyone leaves, Komal and her sister go to a nearby park and cry. Before they recover, another festival arrives. For many of us, like Komal, not every festival ends in togetherness. Some end simply in making it through. *Names changed How to get through the holidays Have a leave early plan: Decide how long youll stay and stick to it. No matter what, eat your food: Remember the Snickers ad? You do not want to be both hungry and emotionally overwhelmed. Perfect the long bathroom break: Phone in hand, with deep breaths, pretend youre replying to a work emergency and take breaks to protect your peace. Create a private ritual: Long showers, solo walks, journaling or doodling, headphones on and listening Rilke poems, Visions of Gideon or Idhuvum Kadandhu Pogum . Choose your screen comfort: A Charlie Brown Christmas for softness. Wednesday or Mean Girls when you need to activate be-a-bitch mode (politely, internally). Movies where other families are worse, also help. Mute social media for the day: Other peoples perfect tables, matching co-ords, and forced smiles do not need to sit next to your reality. Laugh wherever you can: Save all your favourite memes. Star those funny group chats. Internally, change everything bizarre in your house as dark comedy. Remember, humour is first aid. Cry and be there for yourself: Seek help and dont be afraid to do that. Remember: opting out is also a choice.
The Rise Ezhumin to organise 4-day conference in Madurai; MoUs worth 2,000 crore to be signed
American Author Translates Ancient Tamil Thevaram Hymns with Indian Professor
An American author, John A Loud, and retired professor V A Vidya are collaborating to translate the 7th-century Thevarams in Madurai. Loud, with decades of Tamil language experience, emphasizes accuracy in capturing the hymns' linguistic and philosophical depth. Their project aims to make these ancient devotional texts accessible, hoping to preserve their cultural significance for future generations.
Deputy Election Commissioner chairs zonal-level SIR review meeting in Madurai
National and State election authorities oversaw the SIR works at the meeting in which Collectors of 10 southern districts participated
Madhushree renders all Tamil songs at Tamil Isai Sangam festival in Madurai
CM Stalin directs officials to complete Vadapalani - Poonamallee metro by February 2026
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday directed officials to complete the Poonamallee - Vadapalani stretch of the Phase II Metro Rail project by February. He was reviewing the progress of 27 schemes that fall under the iconic projects of the department. According to a press release, there were 155 schemes under the iconic projects category which has now increased to 288 schemes under 24 departments. They are being implemented at a cost of Rs 3,17,693 crore. A total of 85 schemes are now completed for public use, while the remaining are at various stages of execution. At a review meeting with secretaries of six departments, Stalin assessed 27 schemes being implemented at a cost of Rs 87,941 crore and instructed officials to ensure their completion by January 2026. Among the projects reviewed were integrated drinking water schemes in Sivaganga, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi districts under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, along with development works at the Vandiyur Lake in Madurai. Stalin also reviewed the progress of the Kuthambakkam and Chengalpattu bus stand construction works under the Housing and Urban Development department, as well as the skywalk being built to facilitate pedestrian movement across the highway near the Kilambakkam bus terminus. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, chief secretary N Muruganandam and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.
Railway users seek better station amenities as zonal panel meets after three years
CHENNAI: After a gap of nearly three years, the meeting of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) of Southern Railway was held in Chennai on Monday. The meeting was presided over by general manager RN Singh and attended by members from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. The previous, 128th ZRUCC meeting was held on October 14, 2022. During the meeting, Madurai MP Su Venkatesan urged the railways to reopen the medical assistance centre at Chennai Egmore, which was closed due to ongoing station redevelopment works. In response, the general manager directed officials to inspect the progress of the works and take steps to reopen the facility. Similarly, South Chennai MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian raised concerns over garbage accumulation at the Puzhuthivakkam MRTS station, which is yet to become operational. She also called for the early transfer of the MRTS to the Tamil Nadu government to improve services. Railway officials said the memorandum of understanding between the state government and the railways is in its final stage and is expected to be completed soon. Members from the six divisions of Southern Railway placed several demands, including the provision of lifts and escalators, additional train stoppages, and the extension of MEMU services. Responding to the demands, the railway officials said matters such as additional stoppages and train extensions fall under the jurisdiction of the railway board and would be forwarded accordingly. R Pandiyaraja, a former ZRUCC member, criticised the railways for not issuing advance notice for the meeting, which, he said, prevented members from collecting passenger demands. He also pointed out the railways had convened only one meeting for the 2024-26 term, scheduled to end in June next year. Medical aid centre Madurai MP Su Venkatesan urged the railways to reopen the medical assistance centre at Chennai Egmore, which was closed due to ongoing station redevelopment works. The GM directed officials to inspect the works and take steps to reopen the facility
North Chennai to World Cup: Back-to-back carrom champions rise through struggle and skill
Carrom is a quiet theatre of geometry and nerve, a powdered square where whites and blacks wait their turn, and the red queen holds her breath in the middle. A flick of the finger sends intent gliding across the wooden board, and the collisions of coins echo like measured decisions. It is a game of patience and precision where control and calm take centre stage. The carrom board has always been a staple in Tamil homes and schools, often brought out between homework, during holidays, and in the evenings, teaching the players the importance of focus and precision. But on the silver screen, the game was rarely allowed this innocence. Cinema repeatedly pushed carrom into dimly lit rooms, claiming it was almost exclusively for rowdies and villains from Baashha , where gangsters gather around a board like a council of power, to Kaakha Kaakha , where villains play with casual cruelty. For every such loaded symbol that cinema fixes in place, resistance inevitably follows sometimes loud and confrontational, and other times, quiet and transformative. In the case of carrom, it is the latter: a series of powerful wins that is gently undoing decades of stereotyping. Youngsters today, especially young women from North Chennai, are reclaiming the board not merely at home or in schools, but in tournaments and games, representing the country on the world stage. And in the lineup of these youngsters stands the recent world champion, L Keerthana. After securing three gold medals at the Maldives this month and winning the World Cup, the 22-year-old returned home to a grand welcome from her neighbourhood. The scale of the victory, however, brought with it a flood of media appointments. When she sits down with CE, her answers come out polished and precise almost templated, as though carefully rehearsed so no name on her mental list of gratitude is missed. I want to thank my family, my late father, especially, for teaching me the game when I was just six years old. Then my mentor, Nithiyarajan, who motivated me and helped me get back on my feet when I was at my lowest. Then my coach, Maria Irudayam sir, Amudhan sir from the Chennai District Carrom Association (CDCA), Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and Thiruvottiyur MLA KP Shankar. But a few questions in, away from glaring lights and watchful cameras, Keerthana begins to ease into the conversation, her guard softening, her voice opening up to reveal the person behind the victory. The high that follows a grand win is familiar to every champion, but the road that leads there is rarely shared. The path this young woman speaks of was shaped by poverty and grief and sustained by persistence, made possible by the immense support of her mentors. Multiple restarts Keerthana practised the game from a young age. She rose to represent clubs, the district, and the state, but then came the fall. Her fathers death, a failed Class 10, the loss of both studies and sport, and the Covid lockdown that pushed her family into poverty. She took up work in a steel patra unit. But a few months later, she found her way back. Despite long workdays, she either woke up before dawn to practise or would play late into the night, slowly reclaiming the game that had once slipped from her hands. Nithiyarajan says, For her, it was like what they say in Tamil, Thottil palakkam sudugaadu varaikum (Habits formed in the cradle last until the cremation ground or death). When she was young, she used to teach my son to play. I couldnt let her end her carrom career while my son was going for tournaments and games, and so, I decided to support her and take her to tournaments. With his support, Keerthana restarted, returning through a state match in 2022 and rising swiftly to the nationals in Mumbai, where she finished third. That season, Nithiyarajan stepped in to cover her expenses, and soon after, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) recognised her talent, offering a one-year contract, 2023-24, with a steady stipend that allowed her to train and play without worry. But when the contract ended, the support fell away, and poverty once again pushed her back into work. This time around, I joined as a carrom teacher at a private school, Keerthana says, adding that she restarted once again in 2025. In this stretch, she went on to win the nationals for Tamil Nadu after a decade-long gap, and then carried that momentum all the way to a World Cup victory. But Keerthana isnt the only one keeping the momentum alive. Just a year ago, Khazima M Basha became the youngest-ever womens world carrom champion. Interestingly, the two back-to-back World Cup winners have been neighbours since childhood and even played for the same club until very recently. We have known each other since we were children, and we are friends. I am really happy that she won the World Cup this year, Khazima says, adding how they didnt just share the same streets and practice halls, but a journey of friendly rivalry and mutual inspiration. Keerthana was felicitated by the CM Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin Vada Chennai and carrom These wins from North Chennai immediately raise questions about what that region is doing differently and correctly to produce top players. Nithiyarajan points out that numerous clubs are actively introducing children to the game, and many working-class parents are seeing it as a pathway to scholarships and government job opportunities. But does this mean the talent is coming solely or to an overwhelming extent from North Chennai? Maria Irudayam, the two-time World Carrom Champion and nine-time national champion, who is now the secretary, Tamil Nadu Carrom Association, disagrees. Players are coming from across Chennai, not just from Vada Chennai. We have no numbers to prove that the talent is solely coming from Vada Chennai, either. Many players from here have played till nationals, but undeniably, the wins, especially these last two years World Cup wins, have come from the players here, he says. In fact, Maria believes that the theory of North Chennai harbouring this talent could have held even in his youth, when board rooms were everywhere. Just within two streets of his then-residence in Periamet, he recalls, there were four or five board rooms. But over time, as police began encountering individuals with criminal records frequenting these spaces, authorities started requiring licences for board rooms and with that, the harmless game of carrom gradually became tagged as a rowdys pursuit, he says. Asserting that talents are coming from across the city, he informs that the other regions producing notable carrom talent in the state include Coimbatore, Tiruchy and Madurai. Many promising juniors are coming out of Villupuram district too, he adds. Keerthana and Khazimas wins, however, have brought some state-led infrastructural support to Vada Chennai. After Khazimas win, for instance, Udhayanidhi Stalin improved the board room facility run by her father. It now runs with complete air conditioning and multiple carrom boards with stands and chairs, buzzing with up-and-coming players. Despite better infrastructure to help players, the talents emerging from Vada Chennai often share familial backgrounds similar to Keerthanas. Many children here are coming from the same kind of background as I. They are learning at clubs and trying to win big. I will continue to play my game but also teach those children so they come up in life too, she notes. And when asked how she hopes the sport will change circumstances, she speaks of a simple yet heartfelt dream: a better home, with space to display her medals and trophies. Many of my big trophies are at the club because I have no place to keep them at home. The smaller cups are all stored away in huge vessels that we dont use. I wish that I would soon shift with my family to a better house, and build a few shelves on the wall there to display my victories, she says, glancing at her wrist watch shaped and designed like a carrom board. Every tick marks the end of the time she set aside for this interview, yet with each passing second, it also seems to draw her modest dream nearer, almost as if the game itself were quietly steering her toward it.
CM opens two new police stations in Madurai city
Odyssey dance brings in devotional themes live at Tamil Isai Sangam festival in Madurai
9,865 candidates appear for written test for recruitment of SI held in Madurai district
Around 1,200 to 1,500 patients come from abroad every year to get eye treatment at the Aravind Eye Hospitals for complex pathologies like congenital glaucoma, corneal disorders and complex retinal disorders
Stellar play draws applause at Tamil Isai festival in Madurai
Railways to increase speed of express trains on Tiruchi-Madurai section
Work on Complete Track Renewal and installation of thick web switch sets under way; plans are also afoot to provide safety fencing on either side adjoining the tracks
HC judge quotes Prophet Muhammad, directs Madurai corpn to pay lawyers fee
Madurai: Quoting a famous saying of Prophet Muhammad on prompt and fair payment upon completion of work, Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madras High Court has directed the Madurai corporation to settle the long-pending professional fee claimed by its former lawyer. Judge Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court censured the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Seminar on development projects held in Madurai
51st Tamil Isai Sangam festival begins in Madurai
3.80 lakh voters removed from voter list of Madurai district after Special Intensive Revision
Passenger collapses after seizure mid-air on DelhiChennai flight, doctors save his life
NEW DELHI: An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai witnessed tense moments early Friday after a passenger in his forties suffered a seizure mid-air, collapsed in his seat. Two doctors on board provided emergency treatment for nearly 20 minutes and managed to revive him before landing. The incident occurred around 6 am on Flight 6E 6838, which had taken off from Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 4:30 am, nearly two hours behind schedule due to fog. The passenger, identified as Arjun, was travelling to Chennai en route to his hometown Madurai along with two colleagues, who were deported from Malaysia to Delhi after a month in jail there for illegal overstay. Arjun suddenly began screaming loudly, startling those asleep around him, and attempted to grab the attention of a co-passenger before collapsing. Cabin crew immediately sought medical assistance, following which two doctors rushed to help. The doctors moved him into the aisle, placed him on his side to ease breathing and prevent choking, and administered first aid. His companions told the doctors that he suffered from epilepsy and had missed his regular medication that day. He remained motionless for several minutes, with frothing at the mouth, before gradually regaining consciousness, after he stabilised, Arjun was helped back to his seat. One of the doctors later told the TNIE , The patient had ignored the medication he was supposed to take to keep epilepsy under check. He has recovered now but we have advised all tests to be performed on him after landing including brain scans. As soon as the flight landed, ambulance and paramedical staff were waiting. However, it was strange that all the passengers were allowed to deboard and then the medical staff reached the passenger. As per protocol, the priority needs to be given to the ailing passenger to assist him immediately until the right medical treatment is rendered.
Madurais nightlife is no longer confined to late-night parotta-salna and kari dosa binges. There are DJ nights with open dance floors, themed-dinners and more. Heres a lowdown on happening events to round off the year
Sekkipatti: where Muslims receive temple honours and Hindus worship, make offerings at adargah
Sekkipatti, a village in Melur taluk in Madurai, is a primarily agrarian village that serves as one of the best examples of religious harmony between Hindus and Muslims that can be seen in southern Tamil Nadu. In the village, there is no discrimination between the two communities, and a traditional familial kinship has existed throughout the years
Minister visits fire-ravaged LIC office in Madurai
Man ends life inside police outpost in Madurai
Man Immolates Self In Tamil Nadu, Cops Suspect Link To Deepam Row
A 40-year-old man died after setting himself on fire in Madurai this evening in an incident the police suspect is suicide linked to the ongoing controversy over the lighting of a deepam on a pillar at the Thiruparankundram hilltop.
Man Dies By Suicide In Madurai, BJP's Annamalai Says He Was Anguished By Deepam Row
In a tragic incident, a man in Tamil Nadu's Madurai died by suicide on Thursday. BJP leader K Annamalai alleged that the victim was anguished over deepam row.
Watch: Thirupparankundram Karthigai Deepam Row: A Legal History | Focus Tamil Nadu
Public debate in Tamil Nadu has intensified over the Karthigai Deepam lighting at the historic Thirupparankundram Hills in Madurai. With the matter still unresolved, heres a look at the history and legal background of this long-running dispute.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva Demands Centre Should Publish Keezhadi Excavation Report At Earliest
Archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna's team discovered 7,500 artifacts within two years from the excavation site in Sivaganga district near Madurai
DMK MP demands Centre publish Keezhadi excavation report at earliest
NEW DELHI: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva on Thursday demanded that the Centre immediately publish the Archaeological Survey of India's report on the Keezhadi excavations , saying the delay amounts to denying the opportunity to the Tamil people to understand their rich culture and heritage. Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Siva said the excavation site in Sivaganga district near Madurai was identified by the ASI in 2013-14, and under archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna's leadership, the team discovered 7,500 artifacts within two years. However, after Amarnath was transferred in 2016, he process came to a standstill, Siva said. In 2017, following Madras High Court directions, the State Archaeological Department took over and found an additional 15,000 artifacts, including utensils with Tamil Brahmi inscriptions which dated back to the 5th century BCE. When Amarnath returned as superintendent of ASI's Chennai Circle in 2021, he submitted a 988-page report after two years of work, with findings carbon-tested at Beta Lab in Florida, Siva said. Despite the Union government's counsel assuring the Madras High Court in 2023 that the report would be published by November 2024, it remains unpublished. It is December 2025. So far, it has not been done. Why the delay? Siva asked, adding that the Tamil Nadu government already runs a museum where 3,000-4,000 visitors come daily, rising to 5,000-6,000 on weekends. The MP urged the government to publish the excavation report alongside details of experts consulted and the review process o boost scientific transparency and to ensure cultural truths are not suppressed. He emphasized that while the excavation is from Tamil Nadu, it reflects on Indian culture. Committed to releasing Keezhadi findings, but ASI officer report lacks details: Union Min Shekhawat
Woman officer charred to death in fire at LIC office in Madurai
Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan, who rushed to the accident spot, said an electrical short-circuit could have caused the fire
Seminar on developmental projects in Madurai to be held on December 20
Court Questions Tamil Nadu For 'Not Obeying Order' On Deepam Row
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court heard a contempt petition arising out of the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam dispute, with Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and Director General of Police appearing via video conference.
AIADMK warns of legal action against corrupt city planning officers of Madurai Corporation
Former Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa criticises Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his inability to find a Mayoral candidate for Madurai city
To say 2025 has been a dream year for G Kamalini, would be an understatement. The keeper-batter from Tamil Nadu kickstarted the year by winning the U19 T20 World Cup for India women before becoming the youngest to debut in the Womens Premier League for Mumbai Indians. There, too, she went on to be a part of the champion team as MI won their second title. The crowning moment, however, came on December 9, when the 17-year-old, who is coached by her dad and Louis Mariano at the Super Kings Academy (SKA), received her maiden call-up for the Indian womens team. She is part of the squad that will play the five T20Is against Sri Lanka this month. Obviously, 2025 is very special, Kamalini exclaims during a select media interaction on the sidelines of the Tamil Nadu Sports Conclave 2025 in Chennai. I got to play in WPL, won the U19 World Cup, and now the India call-up, all in the same year. It feels like a reward for all the hard work that went in over the last five-six years. Very emotional, she adds. The journey to this point has indeed been an emotional one. Gunalan and Saranya identified their daughters interest in the sport during the Covid lockdown and decided to take the plunge. Every day, week, month, and year has been about her cricket and it did not take long before Kamalini made the news. They moved from Madurai to Chennai for her cricket and soon, she rose through the TN age-group ranks. Through all this, a lot of struggles were endured and sacrifices made, including her fathers health. But the family persevered and Kamalini could not be prouder. It is a proud moment. All the struggles he (my dad) went through, was for me to play for India. Even now, despite health issues, he is working for me. So to get here, feels very happy and it happened with all the support of dad, mom, and brother, she says. For her, the last eight-nine months were about what the learning from the WPL was and implementing it on the field. In the last nine months, I spent time with senior players, learnt a lot about the characters, how to behave outside the ground and how to approach players on the field, they have a lot of experience, she said, before adding, Mumbai Indians is a great environment I learnt different things from each person. With Hayley Matthews, how to open the batting, the kind of approach you take when things are not going well. The one thing they say is to enjoy (your cricket). Whatever you do, give your full effort and enjoy. This philosophy, pushes her forwards in all her endeavours. While this is the biggest moment in her young career, Kamalini believes this is just the beginning. She has her eyes set on a long future with the Indian team. I want to win a lot of matches for the senior India team, and become a main player of the team, she said. The day may not be too far.
MSME Connect 2025 to turn Madurai into MSME hub
The initiative was aimed at boosting entrepreneurship by linking local micro and small enterprises with Central public sector undertakings and government departments
Madras High Court had asked the Election Commission to spare Madurai Government Medical College as it caused inconvenience to students and look at other options
The affected flights were operating on routes connecting Hyderabad with major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Chennai and Madurai
Stories of grit take centre stage at 36th edition of Devi Awards
NEW DELHI: The 36th edition of the Devi Awards in Delhi honoured 12 women for their invaluable contribution in various fields while breaking societal norms. The Monday evening was abuzz at the ITC Maurya not with speeches or spectacle, but with quiet authority; what unfolded was a celebration of women who shaped their worlds through persistence, intellect, and purpose. The 36th edition of the awards, the seventh in Delhi, was less about applause and more about acknowledgement of their journeys. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari was the chief guest, while Chief Minister Rekha Gupta served as the Guest of Honour at the event, which commenced with a welcome address by Express Publications (Madurai) Pvt Ltd CEO Lakshmi Menon setting the tone for the day. This was followed by the lighting of the lamp as EPMPL CMD Manoj Sonthalia. Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla, Menon, and Editor Santwana Bhattacharya were present on the stage along with the chief guests. Gadkari said women have played a vital role in shaping Indias history and society, adding that recognition comes from the quality of ones work. A persons work becomes their trademark, he said. Gadkari remarked, Respect should not be demanded; it should be commanded, while stressing the importance of skill and merit. Gupta said India has long empowered women. From Rani Lakshmibai to Kalpana Chawla, women have broken barriers. The women felicitated included Smita Prakash, editor and CEO of ANI, for her contribution to journalism; Simran Sharma, paralympian swimmer and gold medallist at the 2024 Para Championship in Japan; and Dr Radhika Batra, paediatrician and public health expert, for her work in combating child malnutrition. Also honoured were Sudha Bhattacharya, professor and geneticist, for her contribution to molecular biology; Aditi Mangaldas, dancer and educator, for her work in Kathak and contemporary dance; and Sonia Mathur, senior advocate at the Supreme Court, for her contribution to legal affairs. The list featured Archana Jahagirdar, founder and managing partner of Rukam Capital, for promoting entrepreneurship; Anita Kundu, mountaineer, for her conquest of Everest; Shradha Sharma, founder and CEO of YourStory, for championing Indias start-up ecosystem; Meenakshi Jain, Member of Parliament and historian, for her scholarly work on Indian history and religion; Rina Dhaka, fashion designer and entrepreneur, for her new-age approach to fashion; and Lakshmi V Venkatesan, founder of Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust, for her inspiring work with young people.
Weaving a millennium-old journey
Express News Service Some histories survive not in stone inscriptions or textbooks, but in language spoken at home, recipes passed down from kitchens, and clothes woven over generations. For a community that migrated over a thousand years without losing its name, language or craft, documentation becomes an act of preservation. The book From Homeland to Heartland: The Story of the Sourashtras , unveiled on Sunday at THE Park is both record and remembrance of the past. Authored by Anitha Rajarajan and Biswajit Balasubramanian, the coffee-table book brings together migration, textiles, faith, food, and lived memory into a single, accessible narrative. The launch was conceived as a multisensory experience, extending the books themes beyond the page. Guests were welcomed with a thoughtfully curated Saurashtrian menu that traced the communitys long journey across regions. From Debili of Gujarat and Kothi Vadi from Maharashtra to Punugulu recalling the Vijayanagar era, the culinary trail culminated in Tamil Nadu with idli and Saurashtra amti, before closing with bun halwa, a sweet symbol of memory and identity. The launch happened in the presence of scholars, writers, cultural practitioners and members of the Sourashtra community, with Nirmala Lakshman, as chief guest, Preetha Reddy, vice-chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Group, as guest of honour, and author and historian Sriram V as special guest. Opening the event, Biswajit Balasubramanian spoke about how a single question what their ancestors names might have been a thousand years ago sparked years of research and travel. He noted that much of the communitys recorded history existed only in Tamil. We needed a book in English, not a heavy research document, but something engaging, visual and easy to read, something a young Saurashtrian in Chennai or Singapore or Berlin could pick up, he said. He concluded by saying, Our migration has three striking pillars: our language, our mastery of textiles, and royal patronage.This is not the final word on Sourashtras. It is the beginning of a larger conversation. Anitha Rajarajan traced the communitys deep-rooted presence in Madurai, describing the city as the cultural headquarters of the Sourashtras. The Sourashtras have always lived with a quiet sense of purpose never loud, never demanding, yet deeply woven into the citys progress, she said. From pioneering education initiatives and early noon-meal schemes to contributions in textiles, music, cinema, and philanthropy, she outlined how the community became quietly woven into Madurais civic and cultural life, emphasising the need to document lived histories. Commending the authors, Sriram spoke about the importance of communities recording their own narratives, because, when history is written only through an external lens, it becomes authoritative and everything else is considered inferior. While Preetha reflected on food, fabric, and ritual as living archives of civilisation, Nirmala described the book as a meticulous and much-needed documentation. She shared, Saurashtrans came not just as settlers, but engaged deeply with local society and contributed to Tamil civilisational life. She added that the book reminds how migrant communities have shaped Tamil Nadu, while retaining their own distinct identity. Designed with photographs, illustrations, maps, QR codes, and oral histories, From Homeland to Heartland stands as both a cultural archive and an invitation for future generations to read, remember, and continue.
Thiruparankundram hill structure not a temple lamp pillar, says HRCE
Madurai: The stone pillar referred to as Deepathoon atop the Thiruparankundran hill near a Dargah was not a temple lamp pillar and it could be a Jain structure, the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department submitted before the Madras High Court on Monday. There is historical and archaeological evidence to show that the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
J&K Tourism Deptt wins Appreciation Award at IITE Madurai
Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department delivered an impressive performance at the INDIA International Trade Exhibition (IITE) 2025, held at Maditassia Auditorium, Madurai, culminating in a significant achievement on the concluding day of the event. In recognition of its outstanding contribution towards the promotion of tourism and travel in Jammu and Kashmir and across other parts of the country, the J&K Tourism Department was conferred with an Appreciation Award by the Director, IITE. The [] The post J&K Tourism Deptt wins Appreciation Award at IITE Madurai appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Tiruchi district remains a top tourist destination in T.N.
Tiruchi district occupied top slot by attracting 23.09 lakh tourists till August this year while Madurai, which drew 21.65 tourists, remains a top draw with foreign travellers
Travel expo in Madurai to conclude on December 14
Madurai Market heralds Christmas spirit
Rajinikanth's Pic Used In Karthigai Deepam Strike, His Team Distances Itself
A poster featuring a picture of superstar Rajinikanth, along with a message put up at the hunger strike venue at Thiruparankundram in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district, has stirred fresh controversy in the Karthigai Deepam row.
Motion to impeach Justice Swaminathan an attempt to destabilise judiciary: HC advocates
It was a high-handed application of one of the most extraordinary provisions of the Constitution, said designated senior advocates and advocates practising before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court
Roundabout gives big relief to road users at Aavin junction in Madurai city
How a Madurai Ritual Pushed India Into a JudiciaryPolitics Collision
If impeachment becomes a tool for punishing judicial reasoning, it threatens to chill judicial courage.
'Something Wrong': Supreme Court Questions Madras HC's Handling Of Karur Stampede Case
The Supreme Court questioned how the Chennai Bench of the High Court directed the formation of an SIT comprising only State Police officers, despite Karur being in Madurai.
Export summit in Madurai on December 13
First-level checking of EVMs, VVPATs begins in Madurai
Amit Shah Criticises INDIA Bloc's Move To Impeach Madras High Court Judge
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the Opposition parties of appeasement politics, criticising their move to impeach Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench.
Regional level dak adalat in Madurai on January 2
Explained: How a temple-dargah hill in Tamil Nadu became a bone of contention
Chennai: The centuries-old religious area of Madurai, with a temple and dargah resting in close proximity, has largely remained free of any communal tensions, with both coexisting in relative harmony Tirupparankundram in Madurais hilltop region has deep spiritual importance with the Subramaniya Swamy Temple at its base, and the Sultan Sikkandar Avulia Dargah on the Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
This Clip of Nirmala Sitharaman Promoting Investment Platform Is AI-Manipulated
Team WebQoof found that the original video showed Sitharaman speaking at an event in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
107 MPs submit notice to impeach Madras HC judge
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: As many as 107 INDIA bloc MPs, led by DMK, submitted a notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday, seeking impeachment of Madras High Court judge G R Swaminathan for his order of December 1 and 3 directing Subramaniya Swamy temple authorities at Thirupparankundram to allow lighting lamps on a pillar (deepathoon) near a dargah on the hill. The impeachment notice accused Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madurai bench of Madras HC of conduct that raises serious questions regarding impartiality, transparency, and the secular functioning of the judiciary. It alleged undue favouritism towards senior advocate M Sricharan Ranganathan and lawyers from a particular community, besides deciding cases on particular political ideology against the constitutional principle of secularism. Copies of the notice were also sent to President Droupadi Murmu and CJI Sanjiv Khanna. The delegation included Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, T R Baalu, Kanimozhi, Supriya Sule and others. On December 3, Justice Swaminathan had allowed a group of petitioners to light the lamp on the pillar near the dargah, and directed CISF protection to them. Police stopped the group from lighting the lamp, leading to a furore, prompting the Tamil Nadu government to move the Supreme Court, which admitted TNs plea.
Ahead of Assembly elections, BEL engineers to carry our maintenance of EVMs in Madurai
Sangh stirring communal tensions in TN: Left parties on Thiruparankundram row
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other organisations are stirring communal tensions in Tamil Nadu by manufacturing a controversy around the religious sites situated on Thiruparankundram Hill in Madurai district, alleged a coalition of Left parties in a statement issued on Tuesday. The joint statement issued by the Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI-Marxist (CPM), CPI-Marxist-Leninist (CPML)-Liberation, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), said that they condemn the attempts by the BJP and other Hindutva forces to whip up communal tensions in Tamil Nadu, with a sinister eye on political gain. The Left combine further stated that Thiruparankundram Hill is home to three temples, a dargah, and several ancient Jain caves and for centuries, this hill has stood as a symbol of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence. However, seeking to extract political benefit in Tamil Nadu, BJP leaders, in February this year, labelled the site as the Ayodhya of the South, brought in people from outside, and attempted to provoke an incident. They also used social media to vitiate the atmosphere and sow discord, read the statement jointly signed by the general secretaries of five parties. The signatories are MA Baby (CPM), D Raja (CPI), Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPIML-Liberation), Manoj Bhattacharya (RSP) and G Devarajan (AIFB). Thiruparankundram row: CPI(M) to approach CJI against Justice Swaminathan In December, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court -- while hearing a petition on the issue-- has unfortunately ignored earlier court rulings, historical records and the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the parties also added. By allowing the petitioner to light the Karthigai Deepam atop a British-era survey pillar adjacent to the Sikandar Badusha Dargah, the court has provided a handle to communal forces, the statement said. The single-judge bench, overruling the objections of the state government, and the temple administration even permitted the petitioner to seek CISF protection for this act. These pronouncements not only disregard past judgements but also undermine the federal spirit of the Constitution by bypassing the State Governments authority on matters of law and order, the statement further said. Thiruparankundram row: Madras HC directs Chief Secretary, ADGP L&O to appear at next hearing TNIE reported that several caste-based and Hindu religious outfits on Monday submitted a petition to Collector KJ Praveen Kumar, urging him to implement the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Courts order permitting the lighting of Karthigai Deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hill. They also appealed for necessary arrangements to be made so that the ritual can be carried out in accordance with the courts directive. The Left parties commend the people of Madurai and Tamil Nadu for standing in harmony against communal hate politics and for upholding the pluralistic traditions of the state by refusing to join the protests orchestrated by communal elements. The approach of the DMK government in the state, in handling this issue firmly, has been exemplary. It must be criticised that parties like the AIADMK are supporting the communal elements in this regard, read the statement. The parties also condemned the targeting of Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan and the death threats issued by Hindutva groups. Further, the Left parties called upon all democratic and secular-minded people of India to firmly reject the communal politics of the Sangh Parivar, which seeks to divert public attention from the Modi Governments ongoing assault on peoples livelihoods and constitutional rights.
Thiruparankundram row: Madras HC directs Chief Secretary, ADGP L&O to appear at next hearing
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) to appear before the court through video conference at the next hearing of the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam row on December 17. Justice GR Swaminathan further issued statutory notice to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Madurai South) AG Inigo Divyan who reportedly stopped the petitioners from enforcing the order during the second day on December 4. At the request of the petitioners, the judge also impleaded Union Home Secretary in the case and issued notice to him, adding that based on the response of the chief secretary and ADGP, he may seek inputs from the Union Home Secretary. During the hearing, the senior counsels representing the state sought an adjournment by informing that the appeals against the main order are going to be heard by the division bench on Friday. Amid strong objections from the petitioners counsels to the said request, the judge pointed out that the petition was adjourned during the last hearing on December 5 for two reasons: the appeals filed by the state had been listed for hearing, and the state had informed that it has filed a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court challenging the dismissal of the Letters Patent Appeal (LPA) filed by it against an interim order passed in the above contempt petition on December 3. However, both reasons no longer hold good since the state has obtained any interim order in the appeals and the SLP was filed in a defective manner and is yet to be numbered, the judge observed. He also noted the submission of the senior counsel representing the city police commissioner that the state may even withdraw the SLP in view of the fact that the appeals were going to be heard on Friday and they do not want to raise the same issue on different fora. Moreover, the division bench, by dismissing the LPA, had confirmed the order passed by him for enforcing the main order, the judge cited and said, In these circumstances, pendency of the writ appeals without there being any interim order, cannot by itself operate as a stay. Upheld temple practices in Thiruparankundram: Minister S Regupathy He further recalled two more instances where the state machinery had failed to comply with his order in similar issues. The first one pertained to the states non-compliance of his order dated November 26 directing reinstallation of a Murugan statue which was removed from a hill in Kanniyakumari. The other was relating to non-lighting of Karthigai deepam on Mandu Karuppasamy temple in Perumal Kovilpatti village in Dindigul through a prohibitory order issued by the collector under 163 BNSS despite his order dated December 2. Separate contempt proceedings are pending in connection with the latter, he noted. I notice a definite pattern. I am certain that officials at the District Level would not dare to so brazenly defy the orders of this Court. Let me remind the officials concerned that their duty is to enforce the law and not go by dictates that are often issued orally. While the order of any administrative superior has to be complied with, this obligation does not extend to illegal orders, the judge said. I am not here to throw up my hands and helplessly cry O Father, Forgive Them, for they do not know what they are doing, he further observed and directed the chief secretary and ADGP to clarify their position in the matter.
T.N. BJP condemns Oppositions bid to move impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan
Justice Swaminathan had ordered the lighting of a lamp at the deepathoon (pillar) located near a dargah atop the Thirupparankundram hill in Madurai
In 2016 Assembly poll, it contested in all seats butMaduraiNorth, securing a single-digit vote sharein all others exceptMadurai South. In 2024, its vote share exceeded 20% in 5 Assembly segments
CM dedicates Mullaperiyar drinking water project to residents of Madurai city
Stalin inaugurates Melamadai flyover in Madurai
CM lauds Ministers for their contributions to Madurais development
New office-bearers for Young Indians Madurai Chapter-2026 installed
T.N. Rising Summit in Madurai sees 91 MoUs, Stalin says focus is on uniform development
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin said his government has taken several initiatives to bring the southern region on par with other regions in terms of industrial progress
Melamadai flyover in Madurai to be named after freedom fighter Velu Nachiyar
The flyover is scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday (December 7)
DMK faces off with BJP in LS on Deepam row
NEW DELHI: Even as the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Friday said it would hear all appeals in the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam case on December 12, the issue triggered an acrimonious exchange between BJP and DMK members in the Lok Sabha. The ruckus began during the Zero Hour after senior DMK leader TR Baalu raised concerns over the verdict by the high court. The HC judge had allowed petitioners to light the lamp on a stone pillar, Deepathoon, on the Thiruparankundram hill against the century-old custom followed by Tamil Nadus HR&CE department. The state government had defied the December 1 order of Justice GR Swaminathan, apprehending communal tensions in the state. The SC on Friday agreed to hear the states appeal challenging the HCs order. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Baalu accused the BJP of trying to ignite communal tension in Tamil Nadu and claimed that the judge belongs to a particular ideology. Who should light the deepam on the hill? Whether the Hindu Religious Endowment Board representative or some miscreants who have got a judgment from a Madras HC judge? he asked. Taking exception to Baalus reference to the judges ideology, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the DMK leader cannot cast aspersions on the judiciary and urged the chair to expunge the remarks. In the history of our Parliamentary democracy, we have upheld the discipline of avoiding disparaging remarks, Rijiju said. Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam row: Madras HC to hear appeals on December 12 TN targeting a particular community: Union minister We are not opposed to what he wants to express, but he cannot use unparliamentary language. This will lead to unnecessary trouble not only for you, but for your party as well, Rijiju added. While Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was in the chair, allowed Union Minister L Murugan from the treasury benches to intervene and reply, opposition members rose in protest against the decision. Murugan accused the state government of denying devotees the right to worship at the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple. The state government is targeting a particular community and law and order of that region is being vitiated, he alleged. He claimed TN police had arrested devotees, who were proceeding to the temple to light the deepam as per the HC orders. The TN BJP president too has been arrested, he said. As he was speaking, some DMK members walked up to Rijijus seat, prompting the chair to ask the protesting members to confine themselves to the Well. Although the chair said Baalus remark would be removed from the record, the latter argued that the judge had himself acknowledged an association with the organisation. SC to consider TNs plea against HC order on lamp lighting at Thiruparankundram DMKs parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi, who spoke to the media later, condemned Rijiju for the intimidating tone he had used against Baalu. Blaming Murugan for providing false information on the issue during the Zero Hour, she said unnecessary problems were being created by the BJP in Thiruparankundram to infuse communal hatred among the people when people have offered prayers at the temple in the hill in harmony for long. She said that manufacturing such issues will not help the BJP since the Tamil people know who is working in their interests and who is creating differences. Meanwhile, normalcy began to return to Thiruparankundram on Friday even as heavy police deployment continued across the foothills and the hilltop, restricting access to the summit. Police are expected to continue high-alert deployment until clarity emerges on the issue.
SC to Consider TNs Plea Against HC Nod for Karthigai Deepam Lamp
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday upheld a single-judge order allowing devotees to light the lamp at the Deepathoon
International documentary and short film festival in Madurai
DMK, BJP Members Face-Off in LS Over 'Karthigai Deepam' at Madurai Temple
DMK members stormed the Well of the Lok Sabha and tried to raise the issue of the lighting of the 'Karthigai Deepam' at the stone lamp pillar on the Tirrupparankundram hillock near Madurai
In a social media post, Mr. Rajaa contended CM M.K. Stalin was working day and night to bring investments, jobs, and prosperity to the State but the BJP and its allies are doing everything they can to incite riots and destroy the peace and tranquility of our State.
DMK, BJP members face-off in Lok Sabha over 'Karthigai Deepam' at Thirupparankundram temple
DMK members stormed the Well of the Lok Sabha and tried to raise the issue of the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the stone lamp pillar on the Thirupparankundram hillock near Madurai
Lok Sabha Chaos: DMK, BJP clash over Karthigai Deepam lighting at Madurai temple
Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange over the lighting of a traditional lamp at a hilltop temple near Madurai. DMK accused BJP of inciting communal tensions, while Union Minister L Murugan criticized the Tamil Nadu government for denying worship rights.
People of Madurai want development politics, not other kinds of politics: T.N. CM Stalin
In light of the Tirpparankundram row in Madurai, the CM asked in a social media post whether the city needed development politics or some other kind of politics
Ops floundering, AAI may hand over air courier service to private players
TRICHY: As the long-pending demand for launching an Air Courier Service at Tiruchy International Airport has continued for more than a decade due to various operational hurdles, airport authorities have now proposed an 'Own and Operate' model, seeking private operators to take over the facility. Although the airport has invested several lakhs in setting up equipment and allocating dedicated space, the facility has remained idle for nearly two years, with no business enquiries from any leading courier companies. To revive the initiative, Tiruchy airport authorities have sent a proposal to AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS), recommending that a reputed private operator be roped in under the 'Own and Operate' model to kick-start courier services. The courier demand emerged soon after the old passenger terminal was converted into a cargo terminal and began operations on November 21, 2011, leading to a steady rise in cargo volume. Encouraged by this growth, stakeholders pushed for dedicated air courier services. Acting on a request from AAI, the Union Finance Ministry notified Tiruchy Airport for courier import and export operations on July 12, 2013. However, the implementation faced major delays. According to SA Sayeed, president of the Express Courier Operators Association delayed issuing the necessary notification despite the ministry's approval. The association then approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras HC, which directed customs to release the notification. Following the order, customs compliance came through, enabling the airport to proceed with infrastructure creation in 2022. Subsequently, the airport authorities installed required systems at a cost of Rs 40 lakh in the old terminal adjacent to the cargo wing. Yet, the service could not roll out because customs did not deploy staff for the courier facility, leaving it unused for the past two years. Cargo officials have not taken proactive steps, stating that the recurring expenses are significantly higher than the revenue generated, Sayeed alleged, adding that he has written to Tiruchy MP Durai Vaiko seeking intervention to ensure staff allocation from both customs and cargo departments. Airport sources, however, stated that the facility functioned for the initial months during 2023 but saw no enquiries from courier operators or exporters. Airport Director SS Raju has now accelerated efforts to launch the service, acknowledging that the delay has caused prolonged dissatisfaction among stakeholders. He stated that only large-scale courier companies-such as DHL and Blue Dart-have the financial strength and network to sustain operations. Involving top private players will help attract customers and ensure steady utilisation. A proposal has thus been sent to AAICLAS seeking approval to engage private players capable of operating through a wider global network, he added. Once operational, the air courier services will include- Lifesaving medical supplies can be transported swiftly during emergencies People can send and receive well-packed food items or gift articles on special occasions Essential household items below 10 kg can be transported easily Except for gold, currency notes, and banned drugs, most commodities within permissible weight limits can be shipped
Constitutional Crisis: Are Court Orders And Hindu Rights Now Optional In Tamil Nadu?
Yesterday was a sad day for Hindus in Tamil Nadu, and for the rule of law. In two separate matters at the hoary Thiruparankundram on the outskirts of Madurai and the Mandu Kovil site at Perumal Kovilpatti in Dindigul, the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) unambiguously allowed Hindus to light the Karthigai Deepam lamp. In Continue reading Constitutional Crisis: Are Court Orders And Hindu Rights Now Optional In Tamil Nadu? The post Constitutional Crisis: Are Court Orders And Hindu Rights Now Optional In Tamil Nadu? appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .
Created almost 90 years ago, kari dosa bridges generations through spice and nostalgia. We trace the origin of Madurais signature dish
Enduring symbol of a lasting bond between great music and fine food
Madurai ManiIyerlived in a house for 10 years inMayiladuthuraiafter leaving Madras in 1939following the evacuation during the Second World War. After returning to Madras in 1955, he sold the house toAgoramIyer, a celebrated cook, rejecting a higher bid
NEW DELHI: The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court's order quashing the prohibitory order issued by the Madurai District Collector in the Thiruparankundram region. The prohibitory order had been issued following clashes that erupted during the implementation of a court order passed on Wednesday, which allowed devotees to visit the temple and light lamps at the stone pillar. Tamil Nadu government sources told The New Indian Express that they will seek an urgent hearing on Friday. However, as per the Supreme Court's causelist available until 10:50 pm on Thursday, the matter is not scheduled for hearing on Friday. A lawyer connected to the case, who requested anonymity, said the issue is highly sensitive and further details could not be provided at this time. Please wait until Friday at 10:30 am, the lawyer said. Earlier on Thursday, Justice G.R. Swaminathan quashed the Tamil Nadu government order, observing that it had been issued solely to circumvent the implementation of the court directive. The High Court also directed the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, to provide police protection to devotees lighting lamps at the Deepathoon (stone pillar) located on the lower hilltop of the Thiruparankundram hills. The Tamil Nadu government has filed the appeal in the apex court through a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the final judgment and order dated December 4, 2025, passed by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. Madras HC flays government, tells petitioner to light deepam under CISF security at Thiruparankundram
35-year-old man dies in road accident on Madurai-Tiruchi National Highway
'Ulterior Motive': HC Rejects Plea Against Devotees Lighting Lamps Near Thiruparankundram Dargah
Madras HC dismissed the appeal by Madurai officials, allowing Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple devotees to light Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon atop Thiruparankundram hills.
