The Madras High Court has summoned Tamil Nadu’s top officials for allegedly defying its orders allowing devotees to light the Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram. The case highlights rising tensions over the enforcement of court directives in religious matters.
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CHENNAI: The controversy surrounding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop the sacred Thiruparankundram hillock in Madurai has intensified, with the Madras High Court summoning two senior Tamil Nadu officials for allegedly defying the Court’s orders. The case highlights ongoing issues of compliance with judicial directives in matters involving religious practices.
In the case Justice GR Swaminathan has ordered Tamil Nadu’s Chief Secretary and the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Chennai, to appear via video conference on December 17, 2025, to explain why the Court’s directive allowing the lighting of the Karthigai lamp was not implemented.
Justice Swaminathan noted a pattern of non-compliance with court orders across the State. “Officials at the district level would not dare to so brazenly defy the orders of this Court,” the judge observed, emphasizing that enforcing the law is the duty of the administration, not following oral instructions.
Background of the Karthigai Deepam Dispute
The Thiruparankundram hillock is home to both the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple and the Sikkandar Badhusha Dargha, making it a site of shared religious significance.
- On December 1, 2025, Justice Swaminathan ruled that the temple is obliged to light the Karthigai Deepam and that doing so would not infringe upon the rights of nearby Muslim worshippers.
- When the order was not followed, the Court, on December 3, permitted devotees themselves to light the lamp, under protection from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
- Despite this, police officials reportedly stopped the CISF from carrying out the Court’s directive, citing a prohibitory order, which the Court rejected as it had already been quashed.
Justice Swaminathan highlighted previous instances where local authorities failed to enforce judicial directives:
- The reinstallation of a Lord Murugan statue at Mayiladum Parai in Kanyakumari was not implemented despite a Court order.
- In Perumalkovilpatti, Dindigal, Hindu devotees have been prevented from celebrating Karthigai Deepam at a local site near a Kaliamman Temple, despite a February order in their favor.
“These examples indicate a definite pattern of defiance by local authorities,”
the Court noted.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, representing the State, argued that the auspicious dates for lighting the lamp had passed and requested the Court to refrain from further action, citing a pending Supreme Court appeal. Justice Swaminathan rejected these arguments, pointing out that no interim relief had been granted by the Division Bench and that the High Court’s order remains in force.
Case Title:
Rama Ravikumar v. KJ Praveenkumar IAS
CONT P(MD) No.3594 of 2025
READ ORDER
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