In a significant legal battle in Madurai, petitioners seeking to light the traditional Karthigai Deepam on a hilltop structure have accused the Tamil Nadu government and its agencies of making multiple and contradictory claims to complicate the issue. The case, heard by a division bench of the Madras High Court, centers on the nature of a stone pillar atop the Thiruparankundram hills.
Shifting Narratives from State Authorities
Senior counsel for the petitioners argued before the bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice K K Ramakrishnan on Wednesday that the state's position has been inconsistent. Initially, the government and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) department stated there was no evidence to prove the stone pillar was a 'Deepathoon' (a traditional stone lamp post).
The counsel submitted that the authorities then changed their stance, claiming it was a survey stone belonging to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Subsequently, another claim emerged suggesting the pillar was a Jain structure. Adding another layer, the Wakf Board later joined the state in asserting ownership of the disputed pillar.
Allegations of Bias and Violation of Rights
The petitioners' counsel strongly contended that while the state should remain secular and protect the rights of all, its mind appears closed and tilted towards one side. He expressed that the rights of the Hindu devotees were not safe in the hands of the current authorities.
Emphasizing the religious significance, the counsel argued that lighting the Deepam atop the hill is an essential practice for Hindus and not a newly invented custom. He reminded the court of a 1996 High Court order which permitted authorities to consider lighting the lamp at a location other than the Uchipillaiyar Temple on the same hill, a suggestion he claimed was never seriously considered.
State Fails to Provide Substantiating Evidence
Another senior counsel representing a different petitioner highlighted a critical gap in the state's argument. He pointed out that the government has not produced any material evidence to conclusively show that the structure is not a Deepathoon but merely a granite stone, survey stone, or Jain pillar.
The hearing, which has drawn considerable attention in Madurai, was adjourned and is scheduled to continue on Thursday. The court's eventual decision is awaited to resolve this complex issue involving religious practice, historical claims, and administrative accountability.
