Judiciary – Supreme Court Takes Up Tamil Nadu’s Appeal Over Thiruparankundram Lamp Dispute
Judiciary –The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government against a Madras High Court order that permitted the lighting of a ceremonial lamp on Thiruparankundram hill during the festival. A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M. Pancholi issued notices to Rama Ravikumar and other respondents but declined the state’s request for an interim stay on the High Court’s decision. Notices were also served to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, the Sikkander Badushah Durgah, and other parties involved, seeking their replies before the matter is heard further.
Supreme Court Questions Delay in Filing Appeal
During the hearing, the bench questioned why the Tamil Nadu government approached the apex court only in June despite the High Court delivering its judgment in January. The state’s petition was filed on June 11 after the new administration led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay assumed office. The court sought an explanation for the delay while deciding to proceed with the case.
Case to Be Heard Alongside Earlier Petition
The Supreme Court directed that the state’s appeal be heard together with an earlier writ petition submitted by the Hindu Dharma Parishad. That petition seeks the transfer of Thiruparankundram hill to the Archaeological Survey of India and requests directions for the daily lighting of the ceremonial lamp at the disputed location. The matter has now been adjourned, and the next hearing will take place on a later date.
Tamil Nadu Government Challenges High Court Ruling
The present government is contesting the January 6 judgment delivered by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. That ruling had upheld an earlier order passed by a single judge on December 1, 2025, allowing the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp during the annual festival at the hill.
The state government argued that conducting the ritual at the hilltop, situated close to a dargah, could create law and order concerns and potentially disturb communal harmony. However, while delivering its judgment earlier this year, the High Court rejected those concerns, describing them as unfounded and stating that the apprehensions were based on an “imaginary ghost.”
BJP Leader Welcomes Supreme Court’s Interim Decision
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran welcomed the Supreme Court’s refusal to suspend the High Court’s order. In a statement issued on Monday, he said the development had brought happiness to devotees of Lord Murugan who observe the Karthigai Deepam tradition at Thiruparankundram.
Nagenthran further claimed that repeated legal efforts had attempted to prevent devotees from exercising their right to worship. According to him, the Supreme Court’s decision not to interfere with the High Court’s order at this stage reflected the continuation of long-standing religious practices while the legal process moves forward. He expressed confidence that the interests of devotees would continue to receive judicial consideration as the case progresses.
The dispute over Thiruparankundram hill remains one of the closely watched legal matters in Tamil Nadu, involving questions related to religious traditions, heritage, public order, and administrative responsibility. With the Supreme Court now taking up the appeal and seeking responses from all concerned parties, the case is expected to receive detailed judicial scrutiny in the coming hearings before a final decision is reached.