“Joseph Vijay’s Govt Places Curbs On Vinayagar Chaturthi Celebrations: Murtis Seized, Permissions Denied”, TheCommuneMag, 12 Sep 2026.

“For Hindus in Tamil Nadu, obtaining permission from the government and police to conduct Vinayagar Chaturthi celebrations has remained a recurring concern under successive Dravidian governments. This year, too, several incidents have caused Hindus and Hindu organisations to raise objections over restrictions, police action and conditions imposed on celebrations.

As reported in Organiser, in Tirunelveli district, Hindu organisations raised concerns after police seized Vinayagar murtis intended for Chaturthi celebrations and temporarily kept them at the Devarkulam police station. Hindu Munnani alleged that the murtis were subsequently found in an unsafe and damaged condition, including in an area described as a garbage heap behind the station.

The incident involved Police Sub-Inspectors Luke Hasan and Abraham Joseph of the Devarkulam police station. Hindu Munnani demanded action against the officers, describing the handling of the murtis as disrespectful to Hindu deities. The organisation also objected to the circumstances under which the seizure was carried out.

The police, however, said the action was taken in accordance with the law because the murtis were made using Plaster of Paris (PoP). Police sources said 75 completed Vinayaka murtis were seized from the Karuppasamy Temple at South Poolangulam, along with 17 incomplete murtis, eight bags of PoP powder and moulds.

According to the police version, the seized murtis were initially kept in an open area at the station and covered with tarpaulins. The 17 incomplete murtis remained uncovered. A video showing the murtis being kept in the open was subsequently circulated on social media, triggering outrage among Hindu groups………”

Read the full article at TheCommuneMag.