Overview
- The Madurai Bench directed that restrictions be enforced from the base of Thirupparankundram hill to the top and told police to maintain law and order.
- Attendance for the Santhanakoodu (Urus) festival is capped at 50, and carrying or cooking non-vegetarian food is prohibited.
- The order came during a petition by M. Manickamoorthy seeking to bar the dargah from performing Kandhoori, which involves animal sacrifice.
- The state informed the court it will permit only the January 6 Santhanakoodu and will not grant approval for the Kandhoori Mahautsav.
- A recent flag-hoisting at the shrine saw a protest by about 30 locals seeking permission to light a deepam; police limited activities to festival arrangements and the event concluded peacefully as parties traded political charges.