High drama unfolded at the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai as a standoff erupted between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and the police. The BJP leaders were attempting to climb the sacred hill to light a ceremonial Deepam, citing a Madras High Court order that permitted the ritual. However, police blocked the march, citing law and order concerns and noting that officials have approached the Supreme Court regarding the matter. A senior BJP leader at the protest accused the administration of preventing the ceremony, stating it is the ‘DMK-led, Hindu-hating officials and authorities who have prevented this incident from happening’. After prolonged negotiations and scuffles, two BJP leaders were briefly allowed to proceed for prayers.