Madurai police on Thursday stopped a group of devotees from carrying an induction stove and vegetables into the Sikandar Badusha Dargah at Thiruparankundram, citing Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regulations prohibiting cooking in protected premises.
A dargah functionary told TOI that police had been imposing restrictions on devotees carrying induction stoves, leading to confusion over what was permitted on the premises. “Even now, food is occasionally cooked inside the dargah premises, and no one has stopped us from doing so,” the functionary said. A senior police official said the dargah needed ASI permission for cooking activities.
During a routine security check, police found the devotees carrying the stove and vegetables to cook food inside the dargah. They subsequently prevented them from taking the items inside. “The dargah is under the control of the ASI, and cooking on the premises is prohibited under ASI regulations.
Madurai: Madurai police on Thursday stopped a group of devotees from carrying an induction stove and vegetables into the Sikandar Badusha Dargah at Thiruparankundram, citing Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regulations prohibiting cooking in protected premises.
Dargah authorities, however, disputed this, saying the shrine was not currently under ASI control and that a case concerning its status was pending before the court.