The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has upheld Justice G.R. Swaminathan's order regarding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the 'deepathoon' (stone pillar for lighting lamp) in the Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Thirupparankundram. The ruling dismisses an appeal by the Tamil Nadu government, which had cited potential law and order issues. Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan criticized the state government's concerns as an "imaginary ghost".
The court's decision allows the temple management to light the traditional Deepathoon lamp during the Karthigai Deepam festival, in addition to the usual locations. However, the court specified that the lighting should be carried out by temple management members only, with the number of participants determined in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the police. Public participation is not permitted during the lighting. The court also clarified that any activity must strictly comply with the provisions of the Act as the hill is a protected site.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal has welcomed the High Court's decision, while strongly criticizing the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and the INDIA bloc, labeling them as "anti-Hindu". Goyal accused the DMK-led state government of bias against Hindu and Sanatan Dharma, further alleging an "anti-Hindu mindset". He condemned the DMK, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, for consistently attacking Sanatan Dharma. Goyal also referenced the impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan, signed by several INDIA bloc members, as evidence of their "hatred" towards Hinduism and an attempt to intimidate the judiciary. He described the High Court's ruling as a "slap on the face of the appeasement policy" of the INDIA bloc and a "victory of the Hindu religion".
The Tamil Nadu government had argued that there was no evidence to prove the stone pillar was a 'deepathoon'. The High Court bench refuted this, asserting that the pillar is located on land belonging to the Subramaniya Swamy temple. The court also stated that no religious bar exists under Agama Shastras. The state government is reportedly considering an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy temple and the Sikkandar Badhusha dargah are both located on the Thirupparankundram hillock. Justice Swaminathan's initial order stated that lighting the lamp at the 'deepathoon' would not infringe upon the religious rights of the nearby Muslim shrine.
