Tensions flared at Raja Malaiyittu Street on the upper bund of Mugavai Oorani after residents staged a protest against the Ramanathapuram Municipality’s attempt to demolish Sri Rajakaliamman temple.

The administrative action followed a complaint by a local individual alleging that the shrine was encroaching on waterbody.

In response to the complaint, the Ramanathapuram Municipality had previously issued a notice stating the demolition for June 30.

While local residents had petitioned the District Collector on June 29 to halt the move, the temple administration’s subsequent appeals to both the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court were dismissed due to the land’s classification, though the courts noted that lower legal remedies could still be pursued.

The standoff escalated on Wednesday when municipal staff, accompanied by revenue officials and police personnel, arrived at the site with an excavator to carry out the demolition.

Led by Hindu Munnani District president Ramamoorthy, a large crowd of local residents and activists gathered to block the machinery.

In a bid to protect the structure, several women sat inside the temple shrine, chanting slogans and refusing to move.

Protesters informed the authorities that they had formally moved the Ramanathapuram District Civil Court to protect the shrine and requested a temporary extension.

Following negotiations involving Tahsildar Kaleeswaran, Municipal Commissioner Prabhakaran, and the public, officials agreed to grant a one-week reprieve.

Authorities confirmed that no demolition activity would take place until the local court issues its upcoming order, after which further action will be determined based on the judicial verdict.

Following this assurance, the gathered crowd peacefully dispersed from the temple premises.

Speaking of the incident, Mr. Ramamoorthy condemned the sudden administrative push, stating that they would not allow the ancient temple to be destroyed.

He emphasised that since a formal lawsuit is currently pending in the Ramanathapuram court, the administration should wait for the verdict and present the government’s arguments legally rather than resorting to heavy-handed actions.

He further called upon the Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to intervene and take strict action against the officials involved for handling the sensitive situation high-handedly.

Published - July 08, 2026 09:17 pm IST