In a dramatic escalation of a religious rights dispute, the Madurai district administration has approached the Supreme Court of India. This move comes after the Madras High Court's Division Bench upheld an order directing authorities to allow the lighting of a traditional lamp for the Karthigai festival at the Thirupparankundram hill temple.
Court Orders and Defiance
The legal tussle began on December 1, when a single judge of the Madras High Court's Madurai bench, Justice G R Swaminathan, allowed a petition filed by Rama Ravikumar. The petition sought permission to light the Karthigai festival lamp at the 'Deepathoon' (lower peak) of the hillock housing the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple on December 3.
However, the district authorities, led by District Collector K J Praveenkumar, refused to comply with the court's order. In response, Justice Swaminathan initiated contempt proceedings on December 3 against the Collector, Madurai City Police Commissioner J Lokanathan, and Temple Executive Officer Yagna Narayanan. The judge stated unequivocally that "contempt has been committed beyond dispute" and that his order had been breached.
Division Bench Upholds Single Judge Order
Following the contempt threat, the district administration challenged the single judge's order before a Division Bench. On Thursday, December 5, a bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan dismissed the appeal. The bench made strong observations, suggesting the appeal was "filed with ulterior motive to preempt contempt action."
The Division Bench also justified the single judge's directive for CISF security for the devotees. It noted that this order was passed "only because the state police refused to give protection and comply with the court direction." The district authorities had imposed prohibitory orders in the area, further preventing the ritual.
Rush to the Supreme Court and Final Directives
With the Division Bench's dismissal, the district authorities swiftly filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court on Thursday evening. The petition was filed by Collector Praveenkumar, who is now at the center of the storm.
Simultaneously, back in the Madurai bench, Justice Swaminathan took up the matter again after the Division Bench's ruling. He directed that the petitioner be allowed to light the lamp on Thursday itself. The judge also quashed the prohibitory orders imposed by the District Collector and scheduled a hearing for Friday morning to examine compliance with his order.
This case highlights a significant confrontation between the judiciary and the executive in Tamil Nadu. It revolves around the enforcement of court orders related to religious practices and the authority of district officials during festival arrangements.
