The already volatile Thirupparankundram Karthigai Deepam dispute has taken an ugly communal and casteist turn, with the social media wing of prominent Dravidianist filmmaker Pa Ranjith’s banner, Neelam, launching a direct and inflammatory attack on Madras High Court judge Justice GR Swaminathan and the broader Hindu community.
On its official handle, ‘Neelam Social,’ the organization shared an image with text that read: “In a secular country, singling out and praising one particular community alone is the remnant of Brahminism! For a judge to express that in his ruling is the height of indecency!”
ஒரு மதத்தினை
மட்டுமே தூக்கிப் பிடித்து
துதி பாடுவதென்பது
பார்ப்பனியத்தின் எச்சம் !#neelamsocial #neelamculturalcentre #religión pic.twitter.com/zzDmDhqFkH— Neelam Social (@NeelamSocial) December 4, 2025
The post appeared in response to Justice GR Swaminathan’s order directing the State to permit the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon in Thirupparankundram and criticising officials for failing to obey the court’s instructions.
Context of the Legal Battle
The controversy stems from the Madurai Bench’s order allowing Hindu devotees to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon, which the district administration blocked using Section 144, leading to a contempt hearing. Justice Swaminathan had summoned the District Collector and SP, questioning the failure to implement the court’s order which the police refused to implement once again.
The Neelam Social post appears to be a direct response to this judicial scrutiny, reframing it as majoritarian bias.
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