Madras HC slams Madurai authorities for failing to respond in lamp-lighting contempt case

The contempt plea was filed against government authorities for allegedly wilfully disobeying an order directing that the ceremonial lamp be lit on the Deepa Thoon (lamp pillar) located at the summit of the hill.

• Madras HC orders Karthigai Deepam lamp lit atop Thiruparankundram hill
• Court criticises Tamil Nadu officials for non-compliance and lack of response
• Lighting ritual must comply with law and ASI rules to protect the monument.

Did our AI summary help?

The Madras High Court has sharply criticised the Tamil Nadu government and district authorities over their handling of the long-running dispute on lighting the ceremonial Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepa Thoon atop Thiruparankundram hill, while reiterating that the ritual must be carried out in accordance with law.

Justice GR Swaminathan expressed strong displeasure on Friday over the failure of Madurai district officials to file their response in a contempt of court petition concerning the non-compliance with his earlier order permitting the lighting of the lamp. The court adjourned the contempt proceedings to February 2, with the Madurai District Collector, City Police Commissioner and other officials appearing before the court.

The contempt plea was filed against government authorities for allegedly wilfully disobeying an order directing that the ceremonial lamp be lit on the Deepa Thoon (lamp pillar) located at the summit of the hill.

During the hearing, Justice Swaminathan also questioned the temple administration over the alleged tying of a flag by a nearby dargah on temple land, asking why no criminal trespass case had been registered.

Earlier this week, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court upheld Justice Swaminathan’s order allowing the lighting of the lamp, strongly rejecting the Tamil Nadu government’s claim that the ritual could disturb public peace.

A Division Bench comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan ruled that the Deepa Thoon is located on land belonging to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple and held that the State had failed to produce “formidable evidence” to justify its objections.

“It is ridiculous and hard to believe the fear of the mighty State that allowing the lighting of a lamp on Devasthanam land, on one day in a year, will disturb public peace,” the bench said.

“Such disturbance may happen only if it is sponsored by the State itself,” it added.

Rejecting arguments that Agama Sastra prohibited lighting the lamp at the location, the bench noted that neither the temple management nor the government had disputed that lighting the deepam was a long-standing practice at Thiruparankundram hill.

The court clarified that as the hill is a protected monument, all activities must comply strictly with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. It directed that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) may impose conditions necessary to preserve the site.

The Devasthanam was ordered to light the lamp on the Deepa Thoon during the Karthigai Deepam festival, with the number of participants to be fixed in consultation with the ASI and police. No members of the general public will be permitted to accompany the temple team, and the District Collector has been directed to coordinate and personally supervise the event.

The verdict has triggered political reactions, with the BJP hailing the ruling as a “victory for devotees,” while the DMK government indicated it would move the Supreme Court in appeal. Tamil Nadu Minister S. Regupathy criticised the judgment, stating that the government had a right to challenge it.

Meanwhile, during the Winter Session of Parliament, over 100 INDIA bloc MPs submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking an impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan over his original order.

Petitioners welcomed the ruling, calling it a significant affirmation of religious practice, while the High Court has now disposed of the appeals, laying down strict safeguards to ensure both the conduct of the ritual and preservation of the protected site.