Tamil Nadu Government’s War on Tradition: Challenging the Judiciary and Hindu Rights at Thiruparankundram
MADURAI – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the devotee community, the Tamil Nadu government has announced its intention to challenge the Madras High Court’s landmark ruling on the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam in the Supreme Court.
The decision, spearheaded by Law Minister S. Raghupathy, marks a definitive escalation in what many perceive as a state-sponsored campaign against Hindu religious practices and judicial authority.
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On January 6, 2026, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed a series of appeals filed by the State Government and the Hazarath Sultan Sikkandar Badhusha Avuliya Dargah administration. The Division Bench, comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan, upheld a previous order permitting the lighting of the traditional Karthigai Deepam at the ancient stone pillar, known as the Deepathoon, located atop the Thiruparankundram hill.
The Court’s language was unsparing. It dismissed the government’s persistent claims that lighting the lamp would cause a “law and order” crisis as “ridiculous.”
In a scathing observation, the judges noted that such disturbances would only occur if the State itself were to “sponsor” them, cautioning the government against stooping to such levels to pursue political agendas.
Historical Precedent vs. Political Denial
The crux of the government’s opposition lies in Law Minister Raghupathy’s assertion that the practice lacks “historical precedent.” However, historical records and temple literature tell a different story.
- Ancient Roots: Thiruparankundram is one of the Arupadaiveedu (six abodes) of Lord Muruga. References to the hill as a site of divine light date back to the Sangam era (200 BCE – 300 CE).
- The Deepathoon: Devotees maintain that a flame once burned atop this specific pillar for over 1,300 years. Documentation from 1961 by the temple Devasthanam explicitly mentions the ritual.
- Legal Standing: Justice G.R. Swaminathan, in the original ruling, confirmed that the Deepathoon sits on temple land, not dargah property, citing a 1920 court ruling that established temple ownership over the hill.
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A Pattern of Defiance: Secularism or Selective Targeting?
The government’s actions have raised serious questions about its commitment to secularism and the rule of law.
Throughout December 2025, the state machinery repeatedly obstructed the court’s orders:
Ignoring Directives: Despite a clear mandate to light the lamp on December 3, 2025, officials cited “administrative difficulties.”
Section 144 Imposition: The District Collector invoked prohibitory orders to prevent a handful of devotees from performing a peaceful religious ritual.
Judicial Contempt: The state’s defiance led to rare contempt proceedings, where Justice Swaminathan was forced to ask, “Is there no respect for my order?”
Critics argue that by prioritizing the “sensitivities” of one community over the established legal rights of Hindus, the DMK-led government is undermining the very essence of secularism which demands equal treatment for all faiths.
The Law Minister’s Stance
Minister Raghupathy remains steadfast, claiming that previous Chief Ministers like Rajaji and Kamaraj never allowed this practice. He argued, “The High Court passed the order without looking for evidence… we have every right to go on appeal.”
This stance, however, is viewed by Hindu organizations as a tactic to delay and eventually dismantle a tradition that reaffirms the Hindu identity of the sacred hill, which the BJP has recently termed the “Ayodhya of the South.”
A Call for Unity
The Thiruparankundram row is no longer just a local dispute; it has become a symbol of the struggle for Hindu religious freedom in Tamil Nadu. When the State uses the “threat of violence” as a tool to suppress the lighting of a lamp on temple land, it sets a dangerous precedent.
As the battle moves to the Supreme Court, the message from the ground is clear: Hindus must unite to protect their rights and heritage. The systematic attempt to label ancient customs as “new” or “disturbing” is an affront to the spiritual fabric of the state.
Team: Hindustandigest.com
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