Madras HC dismisses ‘imaginary’ law & order concerns, upholds order for lamp lighting on 'Deepathoon'

In a setback to the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench on Tuesday upheld a single judge’s order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the ancient stone pillar atop the Thiruparankundram hills in Madurai. The court rejected objections raised by the state and other appellants, clearing the way for the ceremonial ritual to be held at the site.

A division bench observed that the district administration should have treated the issue as an opportunity for mediation instead of escalating tensions. Noting that the hill is a protected monument, the court said any activity must strictly comply with the relevant law, adding that the lamp could be lit with the number of participants fixed in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India.

Coming down strongly on the state’s law-and-order concerns, the bench termed it “ridiculous and hard to believe” that allowing the lighting of a lamp on a single day in a year could disturb public peace. The judges remarked that such disturbance could arise only if “sponsored by the state itself”, cautioning against invoking an “imaginary” threat to justify restrictions.

The dispute centres on competing claims and long-standing practices at Thiruparankundram hill, which houses the Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Kasi Viswanathar Temple and the Sikkander Badusha Dargah. While the temple asserts ownership over most of the hill based on a 1920 ruling, the dargah claims rights over its structures. The court held that no conclusive evidence barred the ritual, thereby upholding the single judge’s directions.