Thiruparankundram Deepam Row: Madras High Court Dismisses Plea By Hindu Dharma Parishad Seeking Permission To Light Lamp

The Madras High Court on Thursday (9 April) dismissed a petition filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad seeking to light lamp atop the Thiruparankundram Hills.

The bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman criticised filing such pleas for political gains and dismissed the plea.

“You're using this for your political gain? Doesn't the court have any other work to do? Is there no issue other than Thiruparankundram?” the bench orally remarked.

For context, on December 1, 2025, a single judge had ordered the management of the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple to light the Karthigai Deepam lamp at 6 pm on December 3rd. A contempt petition was filed on December 3, alleging that no arrangements had been made to comply with the order.

The single judge then directed the petitioner devotee to light the lamp themselves. However, the lamp could not be lit and the District Collector issued a prohibitory order under Section 144 CRPC considering the law and order situation. Though appeals were filed by the State authorities, a division bench upheld the order of the single judge. 

The single judge continued to hear the contempt petitions against the non-compliance of his order to light the lamp at the hill. In one of the hearings, the judge had even suggested that five persons, to be named by the court, may be allowed to go to the hill and light ceremonial lamp. The division bench, however, stayed the contempt proceedings before the single judge recently.

The Hindu Dharma Parishad, represented by its Managing Trustee KK Ramesh submitted that as per the Ancient Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2010, whoever destroys, removes, defaces, alters, defaces, endangers or misuses this monument, shall be liable to the punishment prescribed. 

The petitioner argued that some Muslim organisations were working with foreign powers to create riots between Hindu and Muslims. He argued that these organisations were killing sheep and other animals, violating the sanctity of the hill. 

The petitioner submitted that the Government of Tamil Nadu is waging a legal battle regarding the Thiruparankundram Deepam spending crores of rupees in public funds, it has neither established any regulatory framework nor imposed any restrictions on Muslims visiting the hill to offer prayers on the day of Ramadan, violating Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

The petitioner thus sought directions to the Union Government and the ASI to instruct the the State to take action against officers who prevented Hindus from lighting the lamp but permitted other religions to go to the hill.

Case Title: Hindu Dharma Parishad v The Union of India

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 155

Case No: WP (MD) 10036 of 2026