The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Tamil Nadu government over the delay in actively pursuing its challenge to a Madras High Court judgment that permitted the lighting of the traditional Karthigai Deepam at the Deepa Thoon on Thiruparankundram Hill in Madurai. While issuing notice on the State's appeal, the Court declined to stay the High Court's directions and asked the respondents to file their replies.
A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi heard the matter and sought an explanation for why the appeal had remained inactive for several months after the High Court's decision.
Background of the Case
The dispute began after devotee Rama Ravikumar sought permission in October 2025 to light the Karthigai Deepam at the historic Deepa Thoon, a stone lamp pillar situated on Thiruparankundram Hill. The temple administration responded that the festival would continue to be observed at its customary location near the Uchi Pillaiyar Temple.
Following the refusal, Ravikumar and other devotees approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.
In December 2025, Justice G.R. Swaminathan directed the temple authorities to light the lamp at the Deepa Thoon in addition to the existing practice. On January 6, 2026, a Division Bench substantially upheld that direction, while limiting the ritual to a small authorised team in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India and the police, without permitting public participation.
The Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department challenged this ruling before the Supreme Court, contending that the High Court had directed a ritual unsupported by established temple customs, Agama texts, inscriptions or historical records.
Supreme Court's Observations
During the hearing, the Bench questioned why the State had not pursued its appeal immediately after the High Court delivered its judgment.
"If this situation had cropped up in January 2026, when this order came, what were you doing all this time?" the Bench asked.
The State submitted that the delay was caused by the time required to translate voluminous records for filing the appeal.
Counsel appearing for the respondents opposed the State's plea, arguing that the appeal had remained pending for months and was now being pursued with urgency only after a change in the State government. The respondents also alleged that the pendency of the appeal had been cited to delay contempt proceedings before the High Court.
The State, however, maintained that devotees could not seek changes to long-standing temple rituals through judicial orders and argued that courts should refrain from directing alterations to religious practices unless supported by established custom or law.
Court's Decision
The Supreme Court issued notice to the respondents and directed them to file their replies within six weeks, granting the Tamil Nadu government two additional weeks thereafter to submit its rejoinder.
The Bench, however, refused to stay the Madras High Court's judgment permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepa Thoon. On the State's concern regarding pending contempt proceedings, the Court observed that it could mention the matter before the concerned High Court Division Bench for appropriate orders.
 leader Brinda Karat , BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma-300x169.webp)
