Disabled activist climbs Tamil Nadu's Viralimalai temple tower in protest; falls 50 feet while descending, dies

TRICHY: A disabled social activist accidentally fell to his death from the tower of Viralimalai Murugan temple in Pudukottai on Friday after protesting for hours for the removal of encroachments around the temple.K Arumugam, 42, from Kodumbalur near Viralimalai was an orthopaedically challenged person. Sources said he had been demanding removal of encroachments around the Murugan temple, and also setting up a sanctuary for peafowl in the temple. Arumugam had taken up risky protests earlier, like climbing a cellphone tower last year, for emphasising his demands. As they were unfulfilled, he continued his demonstrations.Around 7am on Friday, Arumugam climbed the gopuram of Viralimalai Murugan temple. After reaching the kalasam area, he unfurled the national flag. Seeing his stunt, people on the ground urged him to come down. However, he refused and stated his demands.Officials from revenue, police, and HR&CE departments arrived and attempted to pacify him through phone. They assured him that his demands will be considered. Arumugam demanded that the collector come to the spot so that he could discuss his terms.

Around noon, fire and rescue services personnel started to climb the temple gopuram. As they tried to reach him, Arumugam told them he would get get down himself.Thereafter, Arumugam began his descent by holding on to the idols on the towers. As he started to come down, he lost his grip at one point, and fell from a height of around 50 feet as onlookers screamed. Grievously injured, he was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival. A case was registered at Viralimalai police station under BNSS section 194 (unnatural death) and an investigation is in progress.