Supreme Court to Review Tamil Nadu Plea on Temple Lamp Lighting

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider a plea from the Tamil Nadu government challenging a Madras High Court decision that permits devotees of the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple to light the traditional ‘Karthigai Deepam lamp’ at the ‘Deepathoon,’ a stone lamp pillar located on the Thiruparankundram hillock, near a dargah.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi acknowledged the submissions made by a lawyer representing the state government, indicating that the plea would be reviewed for listing before a bench.

As the issue was raised, a counsel for the respondents accused the government of creating a “unnecessary drama,” suggesting it merely intended to inform the high court that the matter has been escalated to the Supreme Court.

The state counsel, however, clarified that the mention was simply procedural. “We will see,” responded the CJI.

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed an intra-court appeal by the Madurai district collector and the city police commissioner, upholding a single-judge order that allowed devotees to light the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepathoon.

On December 1, a single judge bench of Justice G R Swaminathan ruled that the Arulmighu Subramania Swamy Temple was obliged to light the lamp at the Deepathoon, besides the customary lighting near the Uchi Pillaiyar Mandapam.

The judge asserted that this action would not infringe on the rights of the adjacent dargah or the Muslim community.

When the order remained unimplemented, the single judge issued another order on December 3, permitting devotees to light the lamp themselves and instructed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to ensure their safety.

This prompted the state government to approach the Supreme Court.

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