The controversy over the lighting of the Karthigai deepam (lamp) on a deepathon (stone lamp pillar) atop the sacred Thiruparankundram hillock has escalated with the Madras High Court summoning two senior State officials to answer why the Court's directive to permit the lighting of the lamp has been breached [Rama Ravikumar v. KJ Praveenkumar IAS].

Justice GR Swaminathan yesterday ordered Tamil Nadu's Chief Secretary and its Additional Director General of Police of Law and Order, Chennai, to appear before the Court through video conference on December 17.

Notably, the judge has also commented that there appears to be a pattern when it comes to orders on such issues being defied by local authorities.

In the present case, Justice Swaminathan pointed out that his December 3 order permitting Hindu devotees to light the lamp at the deepathon was repeatedly breached, even after a Division Bench confirmed the directive on December 4.

He added that such defiance of court orders would amount to contempt of court only if it were wilful disobedience. For this reason, he said the officers concerned would have to explain why they behaved as they did.

However, he also found that similar court orders have been flouted in other districts as well.

"I notice a definite pattern. I am certain that officials at the District Level would not dare to so brazenly defy the orders of this Court. Let me remind the officials concerned that their duty is to enforce the law and not go by dictates that are often issued orally," the Court's order said.

The Court, therefore, said that it needs answers from the highest officers in the State on whether it would consider issuing instructions to guide district authorities on such issues.

"But since such conduct is not confined to one District, I have to necessarily call upon the highest officers of the State to clarify the position. I would want to know from them if they propose to issue any circular or instructions for the guidance of the District level officers. I am not here to throw up my hands and helplessly cry 'O Father, Forgive Them, for they do not know what they are doing.' I direct the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Chennai to appear before this Court through VC on 17.12.2025 at 03.00 P.M.," Justice Swaminathan ordered.

Justice Swaminathan commented on such a "pattern" of non-compliance with court orders being at play after referring to two other instances involving clashes between religious communities.

The judge recounted that he had earlier ordered the reinstallation of a Lord Murugan statue at a hill described as Mayiladum Parai in Kanyakumari, on finding that it was "illegally" removed on a complaint by one Wilson, who represented the Christian community.

"Till date, the administration has refused to enforce the order of this Court," Justice Swaminathan said.

He further noted that Christians, who he observed form the majority in Perumalkovilpatti village of Dindigal, have been preventing the Hindu community there from celebrating Karthigai Deepam at a site referred to as "Mandu Kovil" in the vicinity of the local Kaliamman Temple. Justice Swaminathan recounted that he passed an order in February allowing a petition against this state of affairs.

However, the district collector later passed a prohibitory order, which enabled the local police to flout the Court's directions, the judge observed.

The latest case at hand concerns the Thiruparankundram hillock in Madurai, which houses the Sikkandar Badhusha Dargha, as well as the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy temple.

Some devotees had moved the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking directions so that the Karthigai deepam is lit on the deepathoon atop one of the hillock's summits.

On December 1, Justice Swaminathan held that the temple is obliged to light this lamp, adding that it would not violate the rights of the nearby dargah or Muslims in any way.

Later, the judge found that this order was not complied with. Therefore, on December 3, the single-judge passed another order permitting devotees themselves to light the lamp, and ordered Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) protection as well for them.

Yesterday, the Commandant of the CISF contingent attached to the Court submitted a report stating that police officials led by the commissioner stopped the CISF from carrying out the Court's directive.

The reasons cited by the police included that there was a prohibitory order issued by the District Magistrate due to which no person was allowed to go up the hill.

The Court yesterday rejected this reason.

"The prohibitory order had been quashed and the order was dictated in the presence of the Police Commissioner," Justice Swaminathan pointed out.

The judge also refused a request to refrain from acting further in the matter, considering that an appeal has been filed before the Supreme Court in the matter by the district authorities.

Representing the State, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, pointed out that the auspicious dates for lighting the deepam (lamp) atop the hill had already passed.

Justice Swaminathan, however, rejected these arguments.

He noted that Senior Advocate Singh himself had indicated that the State may withdraw the appeal before the Supreme Court, since a similar appeal is also before a Division Bench of the High Court and since the State does not want to raise the same issue before different courts.

"I, therefore, conclude that as of this moment, the Hon'ble Supreme Court is not seized of the issue," Justice Swaminanthan held.

The judge further noted that the Division Bench of the Court had confirmed his December 3 order and no interim relief has been given to the State by the Division Bench.

"The corollary is that the order passed by this Court (permitting devotees to light the lamp) is still holding good," he explained.

Justice Swaminathan will hear the matter next on December 17. He has also impleaded the Union Home Secretary as an additional respondent to the case.

"Based on the submissions/clarifications to be made by the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and the Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Chennai, I may seek inputs from the Union Home Secretary," the Court's order said.

[Read Order]