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Madurai Man Sets Self on Fire: In Madurai, 40-year-old Poorna Chandran parked his car near the statue of Periyar and set himself on fire inside the police station. He was hurt by not getting permission to light the Karthigai Deepam on Thiruparankundram hill. In his last audio message he mentioned the court order. After the incident, political rhetoric has also intensified.
Madurai News: What happened in Madurai on Thursday shocked the entire Tamil Nadu. A 40-year-old man first stopped his car near the Periyar statue, then went inside the nearby police station and set himself on fire. This was not a sudden step. This was a decision behind which was hidden a story of deep pain, conflict related to faith and conflict with the system.
The audio messages, court orders and government decisions that came to light after the incident deepened this question. After all, why was an educated, responsible family man forced to take such a radical step? The deceased has been identified as Poorna Chandran. Chandran was a resident of Narimedu area of Madurai. At around 3.30 pm on Thursday evening, he went to the CCTV monitoring room attached to the Tallakulam police station, locked the door from inside and set himself on fire. Seeing the smoke rising, people present nearby informed the police and fire service, but by then it was too late.
How did the truth come out?
Shortly after the incident, some audio clips of Poorna Chandran surfaced on social media and locally. He himself had recorded these audios before his death. In these he told that he was deeply hurt by not getting permission to light the lamp on Thiruparankundram hill and in order not to harm the dignity of the temple, he took this step in the city by not setting himself on fire there.
Photo: PTI
Why was there so much anger?
Thiruparankundram hill is considered one of the six holy places (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan. There has been a controversy going on here for a long time regarding the tradition of lighting Karthigai Deepam every year. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had directed to light the lamp on the Deepstambh (Deepthoon) on December 1, 2025, but the state government did not allow it citing law and order and tradition.
- Important Points:Poorna Chandran was a regular visitor to religious places.
- He himself said that he did not want to defame the temple.
- The court order was mentioned in the audio.
- It broke down due to the government not implementing the order.
- The family had no knowledge of his intentions.
Facts related to the incident
- Location of incident: Tallakulam Police Station, Madurai.
- Time: Around 3.30 pm.
- Age of deceased: 40 years.
- Family: Wife and two small children.
- Occupation: Medical representative and mini auto owner.
Political reaction and controversy
A mountain of sorrow fell on the family
Poorna Chandran’s brother Ramadurai told that he had left home for work in the morning and got a call in the evening that he had set himself on fire. The family says that he had never given any such hint. He is left behind by his wife and two small children.
