Union Home Minister Amit Shah has strongly criticized the opposition's move to impeach a Madras High Court judge over a ruling related to the Karthigai Deepam festival. Shah accused the opposition of attempting to appease their "vote bank" with the impeachment motion.

The controversy stems from a Madras High Court order that permitted devotees to light a ceremonial lamp at a hilltop pillar in Madurai, specifically at Thiruparankundram hill, which houses the Subramaniya Swamy temple, the Kasi Viswanathan temple, and the Sikkander Badusha dargah. This order effectively overturned previous restrictions imposed by the Tamil Nadu government. The state government, however, has appealed the order, citing concerns about law and order and the proximity of the lamp lighting site to a dargah. They maintain restrictions on access to the site, leading to an ongoing legal battle. The DMK government has even moved the Supreme Court, seeking an urgent hearing to challenge the High Court's directions.

The opposition, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has initiated impeachment proceedings against Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court, the judge who issued the order. The DMK argues that Justice Swaminathan's order disregards a 2017 bar on judicial interference and raises concerns about his impartiality. They allege that the judge's conduct has compromised judicial impartiality, claiming undue favoritism towards certain advocates and issuing politically influenced verdicts that violate secular constitutional principles. The impeachment motion, which requires the signatures of 100 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 50 in the Rajya Sabha to be considered, has been submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Sources indicate that the motion has garnered over 100 signatures from Lok Sabha members.

Amit Shah and the BJP have rebuked the impeachment move, with some BJP leaders alleging that it is an attempt to intimidate the judge due to his caste. They argue that the opposition lacks the necessary two-thirds majority in Parliament for the impeachment to succeed.

The situation remains tense, with the legal and political dimensions of the Deepam row intensifying. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the Tamil Nadu government's plea challenging the High Court's order. The case continues to be a focal point as the state approaches the 2026 assembly elections.