Court Order on Thirupparankundram Deepam Sparks Debate Over Harmony
So, let me walk you through what’s been happening around the Karthigai Deepam tradition at Thirupparankundram — a situation that has suddenly turned into a major talking point about law, tradition, and communal harmony.
Recently, the Madras High Court ruled that the Karthigai Deepam lamp must be lit on the Deepathoon, a stone lamp pillar located on one of the two summits of the sacred Thirupparankundram hill. The Court made it clear that this act would not affect the rights of the nearby Sikandar Dargah or the local Muslim community in any way. In fact, the Court even pulled up the temple administration for not being proactive in protecting its own traditional rights and letting devotees take up the matter instead.
Also Read:- Zach Bryan Set to Ignite Death Valley Live in 2026
- England and Wales Thrown Together in Dramatic 2027 Rugby World Cup Draw
But the order didn’t land smoothly with everyone. Just a day after this ruling, DMK and its alliance partners held a meeting in Tirupparankundram and urged the district administration not to enforce the court’s directive. Their concern was simple: carrying out the order right now could disturb the long-standing peace and religious harmony in the area. They argued that the HR&CE department as well as the Dargah’s rights over the hill had already been clarified through earlier judgments, and that sudden changes could stir unnecessary tension.
They also expressed worry that certain groups might use the lighting of the Deepam at the summit as an opportunity to mobilise crowds and possibly create law-and-order challenges. Their resolution pushed for continuing the traditional practice — lighting the lamp at the usual Uchi Pillayar temple — just as it has been done in previous years. Representations were formally submitted to the district administration, and the matter has quickly become one of public concern.
Adding to this, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also passed a strongly worded resolution. According to them, the whole issue isn’t just about lighting a lamp. They believe it reflects a larger, more calculated political strategy — an attempt to create communal flashpoints by invoking religious symbolism, similar to what has been seen in places like Ayodhya, Mathura, and Kashi. The party pointed out that no Deepam has ever been lit at the hilltop near the Dargah before, and the Court’s use of the phrase “from this year” only confirmed this.
For the CPM, Tamil Nadu’s history of communal harmony is something that must be protected, and they view the current dispute as an attempt to disturb that balance. They have therefore urged the State government to challenge the High Court order legally and to make sure that peace within the region remains undisturbed.
So right now, what began as a simple ritual connected to a festival has expanded into a wider debate — about tradition, legal authority, religious coexistence, and the political tensions that can rise between them. All eyes are now on how the government responds and how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
Read More:
0 Comments