Madras High Court Upholds Right to Light Karthigai Deepam Lamp in Tamil Nadu

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The Madras High Court has rejected Tamil Nadu's appeal to stop devotees from lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Thirupparankundram hillock. The court, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, upheld its earlier order that allowed devotees to light the lamp, which is a significant part of Tamil culture. The court's decision came after a contentious hearing, during which the police commissioner and the temple executive officer were summoned for failing to implement the court's earlier order. Justice G Swaminathan, who had issued the original order, slammed the authorities for their inaction and directed the police to allow the devotees to proceed to the hilltop and light the lamp. The court's ruling is seen as a victory for the devotees, who have been fighting for their right to light the lamp. The lamp is an important part of Tamil culture and is typically lit during the Karthigai Deepam festival. The court's decision is also significant because it upholds the right to practice one's faith and culture, as enshrined in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. The state government, however, has been criticized for its handling of the situation. The ruling DMK party has called the court's decision a 'setback' for Hindus in the area, while the state BJP has hailed the order as a 'crushing blow' to the Dravidian model of the Tamil Nadu government. The matter is expected to be taken up further by the single bench on December 5, to verify compliance with the court's order. In the meantime, the devotees are expected to proceed with lighting the lamp, which is a significant part of Tamil culture.