Pawan Kalyan Seeks Clarity on Freedom of Worship

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has expressed strong concern over what he described as the “sad irony” of Hindus having to seek judicial intervention to practice their own faith.

In a social media post on Saturday, he referred to the recent developments at the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple in Tamil Nadu. Although the Madras High Court permitted the traditional Deepathoon ritual, devotees were still asked to modify the practice. Pawan Kalyan noted that lighting lamps on hilltops during the Tamil month of Karthigai is an age-old Hindu tradition and questioned why devotees were being prevented from performing the ritual on their own property even after securing a favourable verdict.

He said religious observances follow sacred timings and argued that altering such practices weakens both faith and cultural continuity. “If a holy day cannot be postponed and religious timing is sacred, why are such practices being altered?” he asked. The Deputy Chief Minister added that “we secured the right, but lost the ritual,” calling the episode part of a broader pattern in which Hindu customs face disruption or interference.

Pawan Kalyan said these incidents strengthen the case for a Sanatana Dharma Raksha Board to give devotees a greater role in managing temple affairs. He alleged that ridiculing Hindu practices has become routine among certain groups and questioned whether similar interference would be tolerated with other religions.

He further asked whether Article 25, which guarantees freedom of religion, is being treated as optional for Hindus, and called for consistent protection of religious rights across all communities.