A heated confrontation erupted at the Thirupparankundram Hill Temple on Wednesday evening over the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam, following a High Court order that granted permission to Hindu devotees to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon. The dispute pitted advocate Arun Swaminathan, representing the devotees, against senior police officials.
The conflict stems from an order by Justice GR Swaminathan, which directed the temple administration itself to light the sacred lamp. According to Arun Swaminathan, who addressed the police on-site, the temple authorities failed to comply with this directive. When a subsequent writ petition filed by the temple was returned without a proper case number, devotees were forced to file a contempt petition.
“The court waited until 6:00 PM. The Advocate General appeared and argued it was premature, so the court re-listed the matter for 6:05 PM, the actual time for lighting. Even then, there was no compliance,” Swaminathan stated, addressing police officials. “Because the order was knowingly violated, the court has now sent CRPF with protection for us.”
Swaminathan accused the Tamil Nadu government and police of a political intention to prevent Hindus from performing the ritual. “You are using Section 144 and claiming you have filed an appeal. What is the meaning of Section 144? What problem do you have in just allowing 3 people to light the lamp?” he asserted.
Another lawyer interjected to say that filing an appeal doesn’t grant an automatic stay.
“Court has given an order and the CISF has come. You’re not even allowing them! How is it justified? This is nothing but a breakdown of constitutional machinery.”, he told the police.
Police officials, in their defence, emphasized their priority to maintain local law and order. One senior officer countered, “The situation that existed that day is not the situation today. Our top priority is upholding law and order.”
The officer alleged that earlier instructions were given to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, but order was breached, leading to barricades being lifted and unrest. “We are handling the local law-and-order problem. We did not create an issue; we are not creating any issue,” the official insisted.
Swaminathan challenged this, highlighting the core legal point: “As of this moment, the order of Justice GR Swaminathan stands. He has passed an order; it is in force now. If a stay comes, I myself will take them and go.”
Was watching the argument of Thiru. Arun. He was clear, articulated the issue well and showed the court order . He was requesting at least three persons be allowed to lit the lamp. But then …… pic.twitter.com/te0QYsPBhn
— 𑀓𑀺𑀭𑀼𑀱𑁆𑀡𑀷𑁆 🇮🇳 (@tskrishnan) December 3, 2025
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