A controversial cartoon shared on X by a user identifying himself as “Shahjahan” and a Dravidian heir has sparked debate over online attacks against members of the judiciary – especially Justice GR Swaminathan, amid the ongoing Thirupparankundram Karthigai Deepam dispute. The cartoon depicts a judge-like figure (Justice GR Swaminathan) wearing a black coat and saffron veshti, pouring fuel onto a fire labelled “திருப்பரங்குன்றம் கார்த்திகை தீபம்” (Thirupparankundram Karthigai Deepam), using a pump marked “மதவாதம்” (religious extremism).
The visual metaphor is a direct critique of Justice Swaminathan’s recent intervention in the sensitive temple festival dispute. By combining judicial attire with saffron, the cartoonist implies ideological alignment. The act of pouring “religious extremism” as fuel onto the specific dispute suggests the court’s order is being portrayed not as a neutral legal resolution, but as an action that escalated communal tensions.
However, despite the cartoon’s derogatory portrayal, no police action has been taken so far, leading to questions about inconsistent enforcement of cybercrime rules, especially given the swift arrests made in past cases where High Court judges were criticised in Tamil Nadu.
Contrast With October 2025 Arrest Over Criticism of Another Judge
In October 2025, Chennai South Cyber Crime Police arrested retired police officer R Varadharajan for alleged defamatory remarks against Justice N Senthilkumar, who was presiding over petitions related to the Karur stampede that killed 41 people during a TVK political rally on 27 September 2025.
Varadharajan, who runs the YouTube channel Nethaji TV, had questioned the judge’s neutrality after the court made personal observations about actor-politician Vijay’s leadership. Cybercrime officials said the arrest was part of a broader effort to curb “hate campaigns” during the sensitive investigation.
In the current instance, however, no similar police action has been reported regarding the cartoon of Justice Swaminathan. This has led to allegations of selective enforcement, with critics questioning whether the state is quicker to act when judicial criticism originates from one side of the political spectrum versus another.
The post continues to circulate widely on X.
The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench on 4 December 2025 sharply criticised Thirupparankundram temple authorities and the Madurai District Collector for failing to appear in a contempt case over the non-lighting of the court-mandated Karthigai Deepam. Justice GR Swaminathan, who had permitted the petitioner and CISF to light the Deepam, reprimanded officials after police blocked the ceremony citing Section 144. The judge questioned the Madurai Police Commissioner, rejected the State’s justification, noted that the Division Bench had already dismissed the appeal, quashed the Section 144 order, and directed police to ensure the Deepam was lit that day with full protection.
Despite the second order, the DMK government and the police refused to allow devotees up the Hill to light the Deepam once again on 4 December 2025.
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