The two-day state council meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Pudukkottai has strongly opposed a recent judicial directive concerning a long-standing religious tradition. The meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, saw the adoption of resolutions criticizing the order from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court regarding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram hill.
CPM's Firm Stand on Traditional Practice
The core of the controversy lies in the court's order that the traditional Karthigai Deepam be lit on a lamp post approximately 15 meters away from the Sikandar Dargah on the hill. Senior party leaders, including All-India general secretary M A Baby and state secretary P Shanmugam, participated in the deliberations. Shanmugam articulated the party's position, asserting that the state government should not implement this order as it fundamentally alters a religious practice observed for many years.
He emphasized that the lighting of lamps atop hillocks during the Karthigai festival is a deeply rooted tradition, a sentiment even acknowledged by the court in its ruling on Monday. The court had allowed a batch of writ petitions seeking permission for the lighting, noting the tradition's significance and stating that the purpose of a 'Deepathoon' is indeed to light a lamp.
Political Implications and Government's Course of Action
Shanmugam linked the issue to broader political currents, warning that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) grows in northern states by capitalizing on such sensitive matters. He expressed disappointment with the verdict, calling it "condemnable," despite the judge having conducted a personal inspection of the site. The CPM leader clarified that the party's opposition is not to the lighting of the lamp itself, which no one has opposed, but to the court-mandated change in its location.
He stressed a crucial legal point: the government is not bound to accept every court decision and can immediately file an appeal. In line with this, the CPM has already submitted a petition to the Madurai district collector urging the non-implementation of the ruling.
Concerns Over Future Precedents
Shanmugam raised a further concern regarding the potential consequences of implementing this order. He suggested that if this verdict is acted upon, it might encourage Hindu outfits to push for modeling the Thiruparankundram Karthigai festival on the lines of the much larger Tiruvannamalai Karthigai festival. This, he implied, could alter the local cultural and religious landscape significantly, moving away from the established tradition.
The CPM's resolutions from Pudukkottai place the ball firmly in the Tamil Nadu government's court, challenging it to defend the existing practice through legal avenues. The party's intervention highlights the delicate interplay between judicial directives, longstanding religious customs, and political strategy in the state.
