Tamil Nadu Govt Faces Scrutiny Over Karthigai Deepam Lamp Dispute
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The Madras High Court is seeking an explanation from the Tamil Nadu government for its repeated failure to allow the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam lamp on an ancient stone pillar in Madurai district. The issue has become contentious as the government has refused to comply with court orders despite repeated instructions. On the same day, the state government moved the Supreme Court, seeking an urgent hearing on its challenge to the High Court's directions permitting devotees to light the lamp. The Chief Justice of India has asked the state to number and list its plea, after the petitioner's counsel accused the government of staging a drama to signal to the Madurai bench that the matter had reached the apex court. In the Madurai bench, a contempt petition has been filed against the Madurai Collector, City Police Commissioner, and Executive Officer of the Arulmighu Subramania Swamy Temple for blocking devotees from reaching the hill on December 4, despite clear court instructions. The authorities had threatened arrests and detained over 300 people in a marriage hall, just hours after the court directed that the lamp be lit and adequate security arrangements be provided. The court has directed the state to file a report and has also instructed the CISF commandant to file a detailed report on how they were obstructed from lighting the lamp. The state has maintained that there was no intention to disobey the court, but circumstances on the ground made compliance impossible. The Deepathoon issue has escalated into a political-religious flashpoint in Tamil Nadu, with the state resisting court orders citing law and order concerns and the hill's proximity to a dargah. The High Court had earlier permitted devotees to light the lamp, calling it an integral part of Tamil culture, but the state had appealed against the order. The court has adjourned the contempt proceedings to December 9, and the state's special leave petition remains pending in the Supreme Court.
