A group opposing the Hindutva groups felt a single-judge Bench cannot overrule a Division Bench's judgement. They also claimed that the bid was to light the lamp on a survey stone.
Published Dec 04, 2025 | 2:31 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 04, 2025 | 2:31 PM
Tiruppanarankundram in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Synopsis: The controversy over lighting the Karthigai Deepam in Tiruppanarankundram in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district has snowballed into a law and order issue with pro-Hindutva groups wanting to light the lamp on a pillar with questionable credentials. The single judge’s judgement, too, has come under scrutiny.
The controversy over lighting the Karthigai Deepam at the claimed Deepathoon (lamp pillar) in Tiruppanarankundram has thrown up multiple questions, including over the propriety of a single-judge Bench of the Madras High Court in Madurai ordering CISF cover — not state police protection — for lighting the lamp.
However, the bid to light the lamp, on Wednesday, 3 December, did not succeed as the police, led by Madurai City Commissioner J Loganathan, stopped the group — members of pro-Hindutva organisations and CISF personnel deputed by the high court — citing the imposition of Section 163 of the BNSS (prohibitory order, 144 CrPC), and secured the area.
Earlier, District Collector KJ Praveen Kumar promulgated the prohibition following a law-and-order situation. Section 163 of the BNSS was invoked after a large number of pro-Hindutva activists had gathered in the area and tried to damage public property.
The police commissioner also informed the group of the State’s appeal challenging single judge Justice GR Swaminathan’s order in the high court, and hence, no one could be allowed to proceed further.
Even as high drama unfolded, the Mahadeepam was lit near the Uchchipillaiyar Temple atop the Tirupparankundram hillock as per tradition.
Justice Swaminathan of the Madurai Bench had earlier directed that the lamp be lit at the deepathoon and instructed the police to provide necessary security.
However, the lamppost at the exact hilltop, as directed by the court, was not lit. Condemning this, Hindu Munnani functionaries marched towards the Thirupparankundram temple and hill, attempting to lay siege.
When protestors tried to push past the barricades, clashes broke out with the police. The situation escalated when some protestors attempted to trek up the hill. Two policemen on duty were injured in the scuffle that ensued.
Subsequently, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ordered that the petitioner, Rama Ravikumar, along with 10 persons, be allowed to go to the lamp pillar under the protection of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to light the lamp.
Following the unrest, areas including the 16 Pillars Mandapam stretch and Thirupparankundram hill were brought under tight police control to maintain law and order.
Earlier on Monday evening, Justice Swaminathan had directed temple office bearers to arrange for the deepam lighting ritual to be conducted on the hilltop. He also warned that if they didn’t comply, it would amount to contempt of court.
However, the temple authorities followed the usual ritual and lit the deepam near the Uchchipillaiyar Kovil, also on the hillock. But Hindutva groups wanted the deepam to be lit at the pillar, located near a Dargah.
After 6 pm on Wednesday, Ravikumar went to the court and filed a contempt of court petition. The judge then ordered 10 of them to go to the hill along with the CISF personnel. The police, however, stopped them.
Incidentally, the deepathoon itself became a point of contention after some claimed it was a survey-marker stone, while others said it was a traditional lamppost, remaining unused for over a century.
Those who opposed the lighting of the lamp on the deepathoon said for about a century, the deepam was lit near the Uchchipillaiyar temple — a peaceful practice being followed by the temple.
The tradition, they said, followed the agamas and was decided by the temple’s chief priest. The location has been chosen because it falls in the direct line of sight with the temple garba griha too.
The major question, however, was over the Single Bench Judge Justice Swaminathan’s order.
The opposing faction said pro-Hindutva groups were demanding the deepam to be lit near a dargah, on a survey pillar. The case was filed to light the deepam near the Dargah with malicious intentions to disturb peace. In 2014, a single-judge Bench had dismissed the case.
An appeal was filed, and a two-judge Division Bench in Madurai observed in 2017 that the practice of lighting the deepam near the Uchchipillaiyar temple was peaceful and ordered it to continue. The judge said that the locals have accepted the present practice, and it maintains peace and tranquillity.
They said Justice Swaminathan’s judgement against the two-judge order was unacceptable on two grounds: it is judicial indiscipline for one judge to give an order against a two-judge order; and two, and ruling is barred by constructive res judicata (judged matter).
The opposing group also found fault with the judge ordering CISF cover for the petitioners. According to the law, they said, CISF could provide security only for government establishments. They cannot be treated as a mercenary army for pushing one’s ideological agenda.
