Madurai Bench dismisses Tamil Nadu govt appeal in Thiruparakundram Deepathoon case
In a setback to the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld a single judge’s order permitting the lighting of a lamp at the stone pillar, known as Deepathoon, located atop the Thiruparakundram hills near a dargah.
A Division Bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan ruled that the location of the stone pillar falls within the land belonging to the Shri Subramania Swamy Temple. Dismissing the state government’s appeal, the court affirmed that devotees are entitled to light the lamp at the site, subject to statutory safeguards.
The bench observed that the district administration should have approached the issue as an opportunity to foster harmony between communities through mediation rather than escalating the dispute. The court also noted that Thiruparakundram hill is a protected monument and any activity there must strictly comply with the relevant provisions of law.
Clarifying its order, the court said the lamp may be lit at the Deepathoon, with restrictions on the number of persons allowed, in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Welcoming the verdict, petitioner Rama Ravikumar described the ruling as a significant victory for devotees of Shri Muruga.
Rajesh, a petitioner and Hindu Munnani leader, said the court had delivered a “remarkable verdict” by rejecting the government’s appeal. He stated that the government’s arguments citing possible law and order issues were dismissed by the court, which noted that such claims reflected administrative inaction.
“This verdict is a victory for the Hindus of Tamil Nadu and for Murugan devotees, including students. The lamp should be lit at the Deepathoon, and the temple administration must make necessary arrangements,” he said.
The ruling is being seen as an important judicial affirmation of the temple’s claim over the site and the religious rights of devotees at Thiruparakundram.
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