CHENNAI, INDIA, December 3, 2025 (Deccan Herald): Tension prevailed at Thiruparankundram in Madurai on Wednesday evening as right-wing activists clashed with police after the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department officials failed to light the Karthigai Deepam atop the hill near a dargah [Sufi tomb] as per the directions of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court. Justice G R Swaminathan, had on Monday ordered that the Deepam be lit at Deepathoon atop the hill, changing the century-old practice of lighting the lamp at the Deepa Mandapam near Uchipillaiyar temple. But, the HR&CE officials lit the fire at the Uchipillaiyar temple at 6 pm as per the tradition.

As the petitioner, Rama Ravikumar, informed the court that the order has not been executed, Justice Swaminathan not merely pulled up the DMK dispensation for breaching his order but also asked CISF personnel guarding the high court premises to accompany the petitioner with 10 people to the hills to help light the lamp. The judge called the act “symbolic but necessary” to uphold the authority of the court. Before the petitioner and CISF personnel could reach the hill – Ravikumar was accompanied by more than 10 people in breach of the court order – the Madurai District Administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 in Thiruparankundram until further orders. As the situation escalated, top police officials rushed to the village to ensure peace even as the Tamil Nadu government challenged Justice Swaminathan’s order before the principal bench of the Madras High Court.

More at source.
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/tamil-nadu/deepam-row-tension-at-thiruparankundram-after-tamil-nadu-govt-defies-madras-hc-order-3818888

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