Madurai: The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench on Tuesday upheld a single judge’s order permitting the lighting of a ceremonial lamp at Thirupparankundram hill and came down strongly on the DMK government, observing that no state should “stoop to that level” to fulfil a political agenda.
A Division Bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan ruled that the site where the stone pillar, known as the Deepathoon, stands belongs to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple. The court dismissed the arguments raised by the appellants, stating that they had failed to place “formidable evidence” to prove that Saivite Agama Sastra bars the lighting of a lamp at a location other than directly above the deity in the sanctum sanctorum.
The Bench noted that neither the Devasthanam nor the state government had claimed that lighting a lamp was not a customary practice at Thirupparankundram hill. It further remarked that it was difficult to accept the state’s apprehension that allowing the Devasthanam to light the lamp at the Deepathoon on a single day in a year could disturb public order. The court added that such disturbance could occur only if it was sponsored by the state itself, cautioning governments against lowering themselves for political gains.
The Tamil Nadu government indicated that it would move the Supreme Court challenging the order. State Minister for Natural Resources S Regupathy criticised the judgment, asserting that the government had the right to appeal. Questioning the ruling, the former law minister said there was no evidence to establish that the lamp had been lit at the Deepathoon earlier and asked why a new practice should be introduced.
In its directions, the High Court ordered the Devasthanam to light the lamp at the Deepathoon during the Karthigai Deepam festival, which falls in the Tamil month of Karthigai. The court clarified that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) would impose necessary conditions to protect the ancient monuments on the hill in accordance with the relevant laws. It also ruled that only a limited Devasthanam team would be allowed to carry out the ritual, with no public participation, and that the number of team members would be finalised in consultation with the ASI and the police. The District Collector has been directed to coordinate and supervise the event.
Petitioner Rama Ravikumar welcomed the verdict, calling it a victory for devotees of Lord Muruga. The BJP also hailed the ruling, terming it a setback for the DMK government.
