A plea filed by the Madurai District Collector and the Madurai Police Commissioner challenging the Madras High Court’s order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop Thirupparankundram hills was mentioned before the Supreme Court on Friday, seeking urgent listing.
The petition contests a Division Bench order that upheld a Single Judge’s direction allowing a petitioner to light the ceremonial lamp on the ancient Deepathoon pillar under police protection.
During the mention, counsel for the respondent opposed the urgent listing request, alleging that the state was “putting up a drama" and attempting to signal to the High Court that the matter had already been raised before the Supreme Court.
The legal battle intensified after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal in the Thirupparankundram Deepam contempt case.
The court reaffirmed the Single Judge’s earlier order permitting the petitioner to light the Karthigai Deepam on the hilltop pillar, a ritual of deep religious significance.
The state government, led by the DMK, insisted the ruling was “not a setback," asserting that the judiciary must also “respect the powers of the state."
The Single Judge had previously noted that the court’s December 1 directive to light the lamp on the ancient pillar had not been carried out, and allowed the petitioner to proceed with the ritual accompanied by CISF security.
The bench also questioned the government’s handling of the situation, triggering contempt proceedings.
The lighting of the lamp at the Subramaniya Swamy temple during Karthigai Deepam is a centuries-old tradition symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.
While the Deepathoon pillar stands only 15 metres from a dargah on the hilltop, disputes over rights of access date back to the British era.
The Privy Council had earlier ruled that the temple owns the hill—except the dargah area and the stretch known as Nellithoppu.
Since 1862, the lamp has traditionally been lit at a lower level near the Uchipillayar Temple.
A 2014 Madras High Court ruling barred lighting the lamp atop the Deepathoon pillar. However, a fresh petition filed this year sought permission to revive the old practice, prompting the High Court to allow the lamp-lighting at the pillar and direct temple authorities to make arrangements.
The temple, however, lit the lamp at the usual spot after the state imposed prohibitory orders.
Despite repeated court orders, the petitioner has not yet been able to access the Deepathoon pillar to light the lamp.
The contempt petition is set to be heard again tomorrow, while the temple administration’s appeal remains pending.
Source: News18