The government officials in Madurai removed a crescent flag raised by the Sikandar Badusha Dargah during its Sandhanakoodu Flag Hoisting festival at Thirupparankundram Hill in Tamil Nadu, saying it stood on land belonging to the temple. The action has led to fresh disagreement between the temple and dargah administrations in the area, reported The Commune.
Dargah Flag Removed From Kallathi Tree Belonging To Thirupparankundram Temple, Dargah Files Complaint Over Removal https://t.co/mtgTsDXL8y
— The Commune (@TheCommuneMag) January 16, 2026
The issue reached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court last week after complaints were raised about the location of the flag. The court asked the authorities to explain how the flag was put up and directed them to take suitable steps.
Following this, the temple administration approached the Thirupparankundram Police Station and filed a complaint, after which a case was registered.
Officials said the crescent flag had been hoisted on 21st December, 2025, on a Kallathi tree near the dargah on Thirupparankundram Hill. Complaints stated that the tree stands on temple land, which led to the matter being taken up by the authorities and later by the court.
After the police case was registered, officials from the Revenue Department, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, and the Police Department jointly went to the spot and removed the flag tied to the Kallathi tree on the hill.
Meanwhile, the dargah administration has strongly objected to the removal. The Thirupparankundram Sikandar Badusha Dargah side submitted a complaint petition to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Thirupparankundram, seeking action and stating that the flag was removed without their consent, calling the move one-sided.
