In Tamil Nadu’s Deepam controversy, Madras HC Justice G R Swaminathan expressed personal disappointment and humorously noted his fascination with the issue. At a book launch for Kambar and Vaishnavam, he remarked, “Time for lighting the Deepam on Deepathoon will come.”
In a recent development regarding the Deepam controversy in Tamil Nadu, Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madras High Court expressed his personal disappointment with the situation.
Addressing the issue, Justice Swaminathan remarked on the persistent association of the Deepam matter with him.
The judge expressed this remark at a recent book launch , celebrating the release of Kambar and Vaishnavam. Kambar, a 12th-century Tamil poet, was notably the first to translate the Ramayana into Tamil.
In his speech, he humorously noted his fascination with his association to the lighting of sacred lamps.
The organizers handled the lighting of the lamp at the event.
However, he later discovered that the lamp would not be lit on the Deepathoon pillar, which left him feeling disheartened.
Conveying his hope that this time-honored tradition will eventually be reinstated, he expressed,
“I feel the time for lighting the Deepam on Deepathoon will come,”
The Deepam controversy centers on the dispute surrounding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam festival lamp at the historic Deepathoon pillar, situated atop the Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, near a dargah.
Devotees uphold that this custom dates back over 1,300 years, though it has not been observed for approximately 80 years. Instead, the Deepam has been lit at a lower Ganesha temple.
Earlier this month, on December 1, Justice G R Swaminathan issued an order instructing the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department to restore the lighting of the Deepam at Deepathoon, along with other traditional sites.
These orders, which called for CISF protection, sparked controversy and were subsequently followed by reports of an impeachment notice against him being filed in Parliament by more than 100 MPs.
Recently, a Division Bench of the Madras High Court reserved its decision on the appeal concerning Justice Swaminathan’s order.
Additionally, there is an ongoing contempt case regarding the State’s non-compliance with Justice Swaminathan’s directives.
Additionally, 120 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the DMK and its INDIA bloc allies have submitted an impeachment motion against Madras High Court Judge Justice GR Swaminathan.
Karthigai Deepam is an integral part of Tamil Hindu culture, celebrated annually by lighting of a sacred lamp atop Thiruparankundram Hill. The ritual holds historical and cultural significance and is traditionally performed by a small group of devotees.
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