Madras HC flags repeated violations, summons officials over temple row.
Judge said he wouldn’t simply plead helplessly for forgiveness, stressing officials knowingly ignored orders and must face consequences.
The long-running dispute over the lighting of the Karthigai deepam atop the sacred Thiruparankundram hillock has intensified, with the Madras High Court taking serious note of what it described as a recurring pattern of officials disregarding judicial orders. In a strongly worded move, the Court has summoned two senior State officials to personally explain why its directive permitting the lighting of the traditional lamp on the deepathon — the stone lamp pillar situated on the hill — was not followed.
The case, filed by Rama Ravikumar against K.J. Praveenkumar, IAS, and others, came up for hearing earlier this week. During the proceedings, the Court noted that despite clear instructions issued on multiple occasions, authorities continued to prevent devotees from performing the customary lighting ritual. The judges observed that such defiance of judicial orders was not an isolated incident but appeared to follow a “pattern,” raising concerns about administrative accountability and respect for the rule of law.
The hillock, revered as one of the most sacred sites associated with Lord Murugan, draws thousands of devotees during the Karthigai Deepam festival. Lighting the deepam on the hill’s stone pillar is a centuries-old tradition, and any disruption to this practice has historically led to friction between worshippers and the State administration, which often cites conservation, safety, or regulatory concerns.
During the hearing, the judge expressed frustration over the repeated non-compliance. In a pointed remark reflecting his displeasure, he said he was **not prepared to merely throw up his hands and helplessly say, “O Father, forgive them.
By summoning top officials, the Court has signaled that further violations will not be taken lightly. The next hearing is expected to determine whether the breach stemmed from bureaucratic oversight, deliberate inaction, or an intentional attempt to sidestep judicial authority. Devotees, meanwhile, await clarity on whether the traditional deepam lighting will proceed without hindrance in future years.