New Delhi: Parliament witnessed a heated clash between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Members of Parliament (MPs) on Friday, December 5, 2025, over a ritual at a temple in Tamil Nadu. The dispute centers around the lighting of a traditional lamp, the 'Karthigai Deepam', at 'Deepathoon', a stone lamp pillar on the Thiruparankundram hillock near a dargah in Madurai.
The issue was initially raised in the Lok Sabha by DMK MP T.R. Baalu, who accused the BJP of attempting to incite communal tensions in Tamil Nadu. Baalu questioned whether the right to light the lamp should be granted to "the Hindu Religious Endowment Board representative or some miscreants who have got a judgement from a Madras High Court's judge?". He also claimed that the Madras High Court judge who permitted the lighting of the lamp at the 'Deepathoon' pillar had allegiance to a particular ideology. DMK members then stormed the Well of the Lok Sabha and tried to raise the issue, forcing the adjournment of the Question Hour.
Union Minister L. Murugan, a BJP leader, retorted by accusing the Tamil Nadu government of denying devotees their right to worship at the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple. Murugan stated that the state government was targeting a particular community and disrupting the law and order of the region. As Murugan spoke, some DMK members approached Rijiju's seat, prompting Krishna Prasad Tenneti, a TDP member chairing the session, to urge the protesting members to stay within the Well.
The controversy stems from a recent order by the Madras High Court permitting devotees to light the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepathoon. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court dismissed an appeal filed by the Madurai district collector and the city police commissioner, upholding the single-judge order that allowed devotees to light the lamp at the Deepathoon. The court had earlier stated that the Arulmighu Subramania Swamy Temple was obligated to light the lamp at the Deepathoon, in addition to the customary lighting near the Uchi Pillaiyar Mandapam, clarifying that this would not infringe upon the rights of the adjacent dargah or the Muslim community. When the order was not implemented, the court directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide security for devotees to light the lamp themselves.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has strongly criticized the DMK government, calling it "undemocratic and fascist" for allegedly defying court orders and arresting BJP workers who protested the DMK's actions. Surya accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin of drawing inspiration from communist ideologies and attacking the opposition. He also criticized the detention of BJP leaders and workers who were protesting against the DMK for lighting the Karthigai Deepam on the Thirupparankundram hilltop.
The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Madras High Court's order. The Supreme Court has agreed to consider hearing the plea.
According to some government officials, allowing the lighting of the lamp at the Deepathoon would represent a break from the long-standing practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual that has been followed for several years. Some fear that allowing the ritual to take place at the Deepathoon, which is located a few meters away from the Sikandhar Badusha Dargah, could lead to communal tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities.
The dispute remains ongoing, with both the DMK and BJP holding firm on their positions. The Supreme Court's decision on the matter is highly anticipated.
