Madurai district police have registered a case against 15 individuals, including members of the Hindu Munnani and BJP functionaries, following clashes on Thirupparankundram hill over the lighting of the Karthigai Maha Deepam. The incident unfolded amid a series of rapid legal, administrative and on-ground developments triggered by a Madras High Court order permitting hilltop lighting under CISF protection.
Court Order Sparks Protests
The issue began after a single judge of the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench, Justice GR Swaminathan, granted permission to light the ceremonial lamp on a specific lamppost at the hilltop near the Sikandar Dargah, apart from the long-standing practice of lighting the Deepam at the Uchipillayar Temple.
Although the temple administration initially prepared arrangements at the hilltop, these were cancelled yesterday morning. The reversal sparked protests from several groups including the Indu Makkal Katchi, Akhil Bharat Hanuman Sena and the South India Forward Bloc.
As the 6 PM deadline set by the court approached, the lamp was lit only at the traditional Uchipillayar Temple site. In response, Justice Swaminathan issued an extraordinary directive allowing the petitioner and ten others to proceed with CISF escort to the designated lamppost at the hilltop to light the Deepam.
Tension Escalates, Section 144 Imposed
Following the order, several Hindu organisations and BJP members assembled, demanding enforcement of the hilltop lighting directive. When protesters attempted to break through police barricades to climb the hill, clashes erupted. Two policemen sustained injuries, prompting a rapid escalation of security measures.
Hindu outfits attempted to barge past the police barricades to go atop of the Thirupparankundram hill. A police personnel got injured during the tussle. @NewIndianXpress @xpresstn pic.twitter.com/72I980z9Mq
— Selwin Thanaraj M (@MSThanaraj) December 3, 2025
Protests break out at the Tiruparankundram hill temple in Madurai as the Deepam that was to be lit in the Deepathoon didn’t happen DESPITE the Madras HC order pic.twitter.com/jBiPtSwLzX
— Akshita Nandagopal (@Akshita_N) December 3, 2025
District Collector Praveen Kumar subsequently imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC across the area. A number of protesters who violated the ban were detained. Before dispersing, some demonstrators lit a fire along the hill path and performed worship rituals on the ground.
FIR Against 15 Individuals
Thirupparankundram police later registered a case against 15 people, including BJP state youth wing secretary SG Suryah. The charges include trespassing, disturbing public peace, and damaging public property; seven IPC sections in total.
Parallel Legal Battles in High Court
Meanwhile, the legal contest intensified at the Madurai Bench of the High Court.
The Additional Chief Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal before the Administrative Judge seeking to quash Justice Swaminathan’s order. The appeal has been admitted and is listed as the first case this morning.
Separately, a petition has been filed on behalf of District Collector Praveen Kumar seeking a stay on the contempt petition filed by original petitioner Rama Ravikumar, while also challenging the single-judge order.
Both matters will be heard today by a division bench comprising Justices Jayachandran and Ramakrishnan.
With Section 144 in force, public and devotees remain barred from accessing the hill, though the temple continues normal darshan and shops in the locality remain open. Police security in and around Thirupparankundram has been significantly increased as legal proceedings continue and tensions on the ground remain high.
(Source: News9)
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