Karthigai Deepam Row In Supreme Court: Why Vijay-Led Government Seeks To Challenge Madras HC Order

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 15:03 IST

The appeal by the TVK-led government is only a fresh chapter in the prolonged dispute that stemmed from a local religious controversy and turned into a high-profile legal battle

Months after a Madras High Court order that upheld an order allowing the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon atop Thirupparankundram Hill, the Tamil Nadu government has knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment.

Home to the ancient Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, the hill is located in proximity to the Sikandar Badusha Dargah.

Court records suggest the Tamil Nadu government –– led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay –– filed its petition before the top court on June 11 through its counsel, B Karunakaran. The government sought to challenge the Madras High Court judgement, dated January 6, that had upheld a previous order passed in December 2025 by Justice G R Swaminathan directing the Subramaniya Swamy Temple administration to light the ceremonial lamp at the pillar.

The latest appeal by the TVK-led government is only a fresh chapter in the prolonged dispute that stemmed from a local religious controversy, and later turned into one of the most high-profile legal battles.

How Dispute Arose: A Quick Recap

The dispute arose after Rama Ravikumar of Madurai and others filed a petition, seeking permission to light the sacred lamp at the Deepathoon.

The previous DMK government –– led by Chief Minister MK Stalin –– had opposed the petition and argued that the site’s proximity to the dargah could spark communal tensions in the region, while also expressing concern over the law and order situation.

However, Justice Swaminathan rejected the fears, stating: “It is ridiculous and hard to believe the fear of the mighty state that by allowing representatives of the Devasthanam to light the lamp at the stone pillar near the top of the hill located within its territory of Devasthanam land, on a particular day in a year, will cause disturbance to public peace."

He said such situations could only arise when a disturbance was “sponsored by the state". “We pray no State should stoop to that level to achieve their political agenda".

The court had observed that allowing a limited number of temple representatives to perform the lighting was not an unmanageable task.

What HC Said In Jan 6 Judgment

The Madras HC upheld the judgement, and observed that apprehensions about communal disturbances was merely an “imaginary ghost" created for administrative convenience.

The court had ruled that the Deepathoon stood on land belonging to the Subramaniya Swamy Temple. “The Waqf Board, as on date, has no locus in this matter," said the bench.

By approaching the apex court, the TVK government mirrors the stance of the previous DMK regime, which also opposed the hilltop lighting, voicing concerns over law and order. The fresh petition seeks to test the High Court’s observations on public order and long-standing religious practices.

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