Madras High Court Questions Tamil Nadu Government Over Objections to Lighting Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram

The Madras High Court on Friday pressed the Tamil Nadu government to clarify its objections to lighting the Karthigai Deepam atop the Thiruparankundram hills, as it heard a batch of petitions concerning the escalating dispute.

Opening the proceedings, the court raised the central point bluntly:
“What is the problem in lighting the Deepam on the hill if there can be better visibility?”

The question comes amid an intense legal and political tussle over whether the ceremonial lamp should be lit on the ‘Deepathoon’ stone pillar on the hilltop or at the Uchi Pillaiyar temple, where the state maintains the ritual has been performed for decades.

Background: Dispute Over the Ritual Site

A long-simmering conflict over the lighting of the Deepam at Thiruparankundram—which houses both a temple and a nearby dargah—intensified following a previous High Court order directing that the lamp be lit atop the Deepathoon pillar by December 4.

Temple and dargah authorities had jointly stated that the ritual would not infringe upon the religious rights of the Muslim community. The court also permitted a small group of devotees, escorted by security personnel, to carry out the ceremony.

However, the state government refused to enforce the order, citing potential law-and-order issues. The decision triggered protests by pro-Hindu groups, confrontations with police, and significant political fallout.

DAY’S HEARING: COURT EXAMINES GOVERNMENT’S STAND

During Friday’s proceedings, Advocate General P.S. Raman reiterated the government’s claim that the Deepam was lit this year, as in past years, at the Uchi Pillaiyar temple, a practice allegedly followed for nearly a century.

Raman argued that the present litigation stemmed from “one individual’s writ petition” asserting that the Deepam must be lit at an alternative location identified as the Deepathoon near a dargah. He stressed that this was not public interest litigation, but a private petition.

AG Challenges the Existence of the Deepathoon Tradition

The Advocate General framed the core question succinctly:

“Does a Deepathoon even exist?”

He argued that the petitioner must first prove both the existence of the structure and evidence that lighting the Deepam there was ever part of a customary tradition. No such material, he said, had been presented before the court.

Raman pointed to earlier judicial remarks noting that temple and dargah authorities had coexisted peacefully, suggesting there was no compelling reason to disturb the status quo. He also criticised Justice G.R. Swaminathan’s earlier order, asserting that the judge should have favoured continuity to maintain peace.

“Where is the proof,” Raman asked, “for saying that any tradition has been abandoned?”

UPROAR IN LOK SABHA OVER THE DEEPAM CONTROVERSY

The dispute reverberated in Parliament as well. The Lok Sabha saw sharp exchanges after BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused the Tamil Nadu government of becoming “a symbol of anti-Sanatan Dharma.”

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Thakur said:

“People were forced to approach the court to reach the temple… The Madras High Court came down strongly on the Tamil Nadu government, saying officials deliberately ignored its order.”

He further alleged that Hindus were subjected to lathi charges and blocked from performing the ritual.

COURT PERMITS PEACEFUL HUNGER STRIKE ON DECEMBER 13

In a connected matter, the court also addressed a plea seeking permission for a peaceful hunger strike at Thiruparankundram. Residents and devotees said the protest aimed to highlight the alleged non-implementation of the lighting order.

Justice S. Srimathy had earlier allowed the fast under strict conditions:
– No more than 50 participants
– No slogans or political symbols
– Full videography of the event

Petitioner Advocate R. Prabhu claimed that the tradition of lighting the Deepam at the Deepathoon continued until 1926, after which it was discontinued due to civil disputes.