The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Madras High Court’s ruling restricting the offering of namaz at the dargah located on Thirupparankundram Hills in Tamil Nadu, holding that Muslims cannot offer daily prayers at the site. The apex court also described the Madras High Court’s decision as a “very, very balanced order”. The top court also upheld the high court’s direction permitting namaz only during Ramzan and on Bakrid at the dargah, while affirming the ban on animal sacrifice within the premises. The Supreme Court ruling came on an appeal filed by a practising Muslim, Imam Hussain, challenging the Madras High Court’s judgment.&nbsp;A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale declined to interfere in the matter.&nbsp;Appearing for Imam Hussain, Advocate Prashant Bhushan said there has never been a law and order problem in the area. Justice Kumar responded that had there been no law and order issue, there would not have been a meeting of the Peace Committee. “It seems to be a very, very balanced order,” Justice Kumar said.&nbsp;“We do not propose to interfere with the order. Without expressing any opinion on the rights of the parties, the impugned order stands upheld,” the bench observed.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-year-law-student-kills-girl-in-class-shoots-self-in-punjab-s-tarn-taran-1770632612292">First-year law student kills girl in class, shoots self in Punjab’s Tarn Taran</a><h2>What is the Thirupparankundram Deepam row?</h2>&nbsp;There have been many disputes over religious practices at the hill, which is considered sacred by multiple communities. A plea was filed in the Supreme Court, challenging a Madras High Court’s order which allowed the lighting of a lamp on the Thirupparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu subject to clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and police.In his plea, the original petitioner, Rama Ravikumar, mentioned the high court’s directions as an “unlawful" dilution of binding civil court decrees recognising the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple’s ownership and control of the hill and as an “impermissible judicial intrusion" into an essential religious practice.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unnao-rape-case-supreme-court-refuses-to-hear-kuldeep-sengar-s-appeal-against-conviction-1770637292043">Unnao rape case: Supreme Court refuses to hear Kuldeep Sengar’s appeal against conviction</a>&nbsp;<h2>‘Devotees of another faith permitted access, usage rights, but Hindu…’</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;Ravikumar contended that although the high court acknowledged the temple’s right to light Deepam at the ‘Deepathoon’ (stone pillar), it rendered that right conditional by subjecting it to administrative discretion.The high court has exceeded its jurisdiction by imposing fresh substantive restrictions despite the final decree conclusively recognising the temple’s proprietary rights over the hill, he submitted.Alleging hostile discrimination, the petitioner said that devotees of another faith are permitted access and usage rights up to the Nellithope area, but Hindu worship at the hilltop has been subjected to layered administrative controls without authority of law.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/two-american-pilots-jailed-in-african-country-for-landing-to-refuel-their-plane-1770628145643">Two American pilots jailed in African country for landing to refuel their plane</a>&nbsp;On January 6, a division bench of the Madras High Court made it clear that the spot on which the stone pillar is located belongs to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple.The appellants failed to produce “formidable evidence” to show that Agama Sastra of Saivites prohibits lighting the lamp at a place that is not straight on top of the deity in the sanctum sanctorum, the court had observed.In its order, the high court had said the ‘Devasthanam’ (temple management) must light the lamp at the ‘Deepathoon’.

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale also upheld the Madras High Court’s direction permitting namaz at the dargah only during Ramzan and on Bakrid, while affirming the ban on animal sacrifice within the premises.

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Madras High Court’s ruling restricting the offering of namaz at the dargah located on Thirupparankundram Hills in Tamil Nadu, holding that Muslims cannot offer daily prayers at the site. The apex court also described the Madras High Court’s decision as a “very, very balanced order”. The top court also upheld the high court’s direction permitting namaz only during Ramzan and on Bakrid at the dargah, while affirming the ban on animal sacrifice within the premises. The Supreme Court ruling came on an appeal filed by a practising Muslim, Imam Hussain, challenging the Madras High Court’s judgment. A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale declined to interfere in the matter. Appearing for Imam Hussain, Advocate Prashant Bhushan said there has never been a law and order problem in the area. Justice Kumar responded that had there been no law and order issue, there would not have been a meeting of the Peace Committee. “It seems to be a very, very balanced order,” Justice Kumar said. “We do not propose to interfere with the order. Without expressing any opinion on the rights of the parties, the impugned order stands upheld,” the bench observed. Also Read: First-year law student kills girl in class, shoots self in Punjab’s Tarn Taran What is the Thirupparankundram Deepam row? There have been many disputes over religious practices at the hill, which is considered sacred by multiple communities. A plea was filed in the Supreme Court, challenging a Madras High Court’s order which allowed the lighting of a lamp on the Thirupparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu subject to clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and police. In his plea, the original petitioner, Rama Ravikumar, mentioned the high court’s directions as an “unlawful" dilution of binding civil court decrees recognising the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple’s ownership and control of the hill and as an “impermissible judicial intrusion" into an essential religious practice. Also Read: Unnao rape case: Supreme Court refuses to hear Kuldeep Sengar’s appeal against conviction ‘Devotees of another faith permitted access, usage rights, but Hindu…’ Ravikumar contended that although the high court acknowledged the temple’s right to light Deepam at the ‘Deepathoon’ (stone pillar), it rendered that right conditional by subjecting it to administrative discretion. The high court has exceeded its jurisdiction by imposing fresh substantive restrictions despite the final decree conclusively recognising the temple’s proprietary rights over the hill, he submitted. Alleging hostile discrimination, the petitioner said that devotees of another faith are permitted access and usage rights up to the Nellithope area, but Hindu worship at the hilltop has been subjected to layered administrative controls without authority of law. Also Read: Two American pilots jailed in African country for landing to refuel their plane On January 6, a division bench of the Madras High Court made it clear that the spot on which the stone pillar is located belongs to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple. The appellants failed to produce “formidable evidence” to show that Agama Sastra of Saivites prohibits lighting the lamp at a place that is not straight on top of the deity in the sanctum sanctorum, the court had observed. In its order, the high court had said the ‘Devasthanam’ (temple management) must light the lamp at the ‘Deepathoon’.

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice PB Varale also upheld the Madras High Court’s direction permitting namaz at the dargah only during Ramzan and on Bakrid, while affirming the ban on animal sacrifice within the premises.

‘Very, very balanced’: Supreme Court upholds Madras HC order on Deepam row, backs curbs on namaz

Chaos unfolded at the Thiruparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district late Sunday (Dec 21st) night, when followers of Islam went to hoist a flag at their shrine (Dargah) at the hilltop, which is in close proximity to an ancient Hindu temple. The Thiruparankundram hilltop is home to the Subramaniya Swamy temple, which dates back to the 6th century, and the Sikkander Badusha dargah, an Islamic shrine that came up in the 17th century.Protests by locals began late on Sunday, when members of the Islamic community proceeded to hoist a flag at the Islamic shrine on the hill. The flag hoisting at the Islamic Shrine is done as part of an annual commemorative event known as the Santhanakoodu festival that goes on from late-December to early-January. Tensions are high in the region due to an ongoing court battle over the conduct of Hindu religious rituals at the hill, and disagreements between the DMK government ruling Tamil Nadu and the Hindu religious outfits.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-extremists-emboldened-hasina-blames-yunus-govt-for-anti-india-hostility-in-bangladesh-1766380925403">'Extremists emboldened': Hasina blames Yunus govt for anti-India hostility in Bangladesh</a>Amid a heavy police presence, the flag hoisting was done to mark the commencement of the local Santhanakoodu festival of the Islamic community. Meanwhile, locals protested and made attempts to light a Hindu lamp at the hilltop temple. However, they were blocked by the police. The lamp lighting at the hilltop is a matter pending before the Court, owing to differing views over the ritual's conduct.The DMK government in Tamil Nadu maintains that the lamp must be lit at the same spot where it has been lit for over a century. Tamil Nadu government authorities say that the lamp must be lit at what is known as the Deepa Mandapam, a different location in the vicinity of the hilltop temple. They cite that lighting the lamp at the Deepa Mandapam has been in practice for the last 100 years or so. They also believe that lighting the lamp at the hilltop Hindu temple, very close to a mosque, could potentially cause communal tensions and lead to law and order issues. The DMK government has accused the BJP and BJP-backed outfits of attempting to create communal unrest.&nbsp;Whereas, Hindu outfits maintain that the lamp must be lit at a stone lamp pillar at the hilltop temple, as per ancient custom. They believe that the ancient customs and faith must be upheld. They believe that the lamp must be lit at a spot that is in proximity to the mosque. The BJP and related outfits accuse the DMK government of being anti-Hindu and indulging in minority appeasement politics.&nbsp;This dispute over the lamp lighting ritual has been in court since the start of the month, and final orders are awaited. Despite the Court permitting the lamp lighting at the hilltop stone lamp pillar earlier this month, the Tamil Nadu Government had cited law and order issues and previous legal proceedings to challenge the Court order. On two occasions, the Tamil Nadu government did not permit the lighting of a lamp at the stone lamp pillar. Instead, the authorities went ahead with the century-old ritual of lighting the lamp at the Deepa Mandapam.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-extremists-emboldened-hasina-blames-yunus-govt-for-anti-india-hostility-in-bangladesh-1766380925403">'Extremists emboldened': Hasina blames Yunus govt for anti-India hostility in Bangladesh</a>The matter remains a sensitive one, as Tamil Nadu is barely four months away from the state assembly polls. The DMK Government in Tamil Nadu, which is seeking re-election, has taken a firm stance on this matter and is against the temple lamp lighting near the Islamic shrine.Meanwhile, the BJP, which is part of the opposition NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu, is equally firm in ensuring the lamp lighting at the hilltop stone lamp pillar.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Amid a heavy police presence, the flag hoisting was done to mark the commencement of the local Santhanakoodu festival of the Islamic community. Meanwhile, locals protested and made attempts to light a Hindu lamp at the hilltop temple. However, they were blocked by the police.

Chaos unfolded at the Thiruparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district late Sunday (Dec 21st) night, when followers of Islam went to hoist a flag at their shrine (Dargah) at the hilltop, which is in close proximity to an ancient Hindu temple. The Thiruparankundram hilltop is home to the Subramaniya Swamy temple, which dates back to the 6th century, and the Sikkander Badusha dargah, an Islamic shrine that came up in the 17th century. Protests by locals began late on Sunday, when members of the Islamic community proceeded to hoist a flag at the Islamic shrine on the hill. The flag hoisting at the Islamic Shrine is done as part of an annual commemorative event known as the Santhanakoodu festival that goes on from late-December to early-January. Tensions are high in the region due to an ongoing court battle over the conduct of Hindu religious rituals at the hill, and disagreements between the DMK government ruling Tamil Nadu and the Hindu religious outfits. Also read | 'Extremists emboldened': Hasina blames Yunus govt for anti-India hostility in Bangladesh Amid a heavy police presence, the flag hoisting was done to mark the commencement of the local Santhanakoodu festival of the Islamic community. Meanwhile, locals protested and made attempts to light a Hindu lamp at the hilltop temple. However, they were blocked by the police. The lamp lighting at the hilltop is a matter pending before the Court, owing to differing views over the ritual's conduct. The DMK government in Tamil Nadu maintains that the lamp must be lit at the same spot where it has been lit for over a century. Tamil Nadu government authorities say that the lamp must be lit at what is known as the Deepa Mandapam, a different location in the vicinity of the hilltop temple. They cite that lighting the lamp at the Deepa Mandapam has been in practice for the last 100 years or so. They also believe that lighting the lamp at the hilltop Hindu temple, very close to a mosque, could potentially cause communal tensions and lead to law and order issues. The DMK government has accused the BJP and BJP-backed outfits of attempting to create communal unrest. Whereas, Hindu outfits maintain that the lamp must be lit at a stone lamp pillar at the hilltop temple, as per ancient custom. They believe that the ancient customs and faith must be upheld. They believe that the lamp must be lit at a spot that is in proximity to the mosque. The BJP and related outfits accuse the DMK government of being anti-Hindu and indulging in minority appeasement politics. This dispute over the lamp lighting ritual has been in court since the start of the month, and final orders are awaited. Despite the Court permitting the lamp lighting at the hilltop stone lamp pillar earlier this month, the Tamil Nadu Government had cited law and order issues and previous legal proceedings to challenge the Court order. On two occasions, the Tamil Nadu government did not permit the lighting of a lamp at the stone lamp pillar. Instead, the authorities went ahead with the century-old ritual of lighting the lamp at the Deepa Mandapam. Also read | 'Extremists emboldened': Hasina blames Yunus govt for anti-India hostility in Bangladesh The matter remains a sensitive one, as Tamil Nadu is barely four months away from the state assembly polls. The DMK Government in Tamil Nadu, which is seeking re-election, has taken a firm stance on this matter and is against the temple lamp lighting near the Islamic shrine. Meanwhile, the BJP, which is part of the opposition NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu, is equally firm in ensuring the lamp lighting at the hilltop stone lamp pillar.

Amid a heavy police presence, the flag hoisting was done to mark the commencement of the local Santhanakoodu festival of the Islamic community. Meanwhile, locals protested and made attempts to light a Hindu lamp at the hilltop temple. However, they were blocked by the police.

Chaos at Thiruparankundram during Islamic event; public protest for Deepam lighting

BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Friday criticised the Tamil Nadu government over the Karthigai Deepam row and defying the high court ruling on the issue and alleged that it has adopted an “anti-Sanatan” stance. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Thakur said, “I want to raise a very important issue where one state in India has become a symbol of anti-Sanatan Dharma. Their ministers are making statements against Sanatan Dharma,” and added that the situation was such that the devotees had been compelled to seek judicial intervention to access the temple. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had recently pulled up the state government and accused officials of ignoring its order on lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at Madurai’s Thiruparankundram temple. The court maintained that its directions do not affect the rights of the adjacent dargah and upheld the petitioners’ right to perform the ritual at the designated Deepathoon site.&nbsp;He further alleged that devotees faced police action during the episode. “Hindus are lathi-charged... Why are Hindus stopped,” he asked the Tamil Nadu government over the treatment meted out to worshippers at the temple.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-brazen-attempt-to-browbeat-56-ex-judges-slam-opposition-move-to-impeach-justice-swaminathan-1765538768334">‘Brazen attempt to browbeat’: 56 ex-judges slam opposition move to impeach Justice Swaminathan</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Today in Zero Hour, I strongly raised the issue of anti-Sanatan Dharma statements in Tamil Nadu, insult of Lord Ram and the brutal lathi-charge on Hindus taking out a peaceful procession for Madurai Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam Insult to Sanatan Dharma will not be… <a href="https://t.co/IsOXvAAbw6">pic.twitter.com/IsOXvAAbw6</a>&mdash; Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) <a href="https://twitter.com/ianuragthakur/status/1999396749908275397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;<h2>TN govt declined to comply with Madras High Court order</h2>&nbsp;The Karthigai Deepam row escalated sharply after the Tamil Nadu government again declined to comply with a Madras High Court order permitting the lighting of the ceremonial lamp at the Deepathoon stone pillar atop Thiruparankundram hills. It was the second defiance, as a division bench rejected the state’s appeal against contempt proceedings initiated for non-compliance.&nbsp;Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran and several party workers were detained in Madurai during protests against the state government. Over 1,000 police personnel were deployed to stop petitioners and supporters from reaching the hilltop despite the court’s direction.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-remove-a-single-name-from-voter-list-face-dharna-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-warns-on-sir-1765448347692">‘Remove a single name from voter list, face dharna’: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee warns on SIR</a><h2>High Court bench dismissed state govt’s appeal</h2>&nbsp;The bench of Justices G Jayachandran and K K Ramakrishnan dismissed the state government’s appeal, calling it an attempt to pre-empt contempt action. The bench also upheld single-judge Justice G R Swaminathan’s order allowing petitioners to light the lamp at Deepathoon under CISF protection. The single bench had initiated contempt proceedings after officials facilitated lighting the lamp at Uchi Pillaiyar Temple instead of at Deepathoon as directed on December 1.&nbsp;The High Court division bench observed that executive orders under Section 162 of the BNSS cannot override judicial directions and said the timing of the prohibitory orders is indicative of a “well-designed act” to avoid compliance.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-one-h-1b-worker-equals-10-illegal-aliens-send-indian-techies-back-says-us-pollster-slams-trump-admin-1765474555216">‘One H-1B worker equals 10 illegal aliens, send Indian techies back’, says US pollster, slams Trump admin</a>&nbsp;After the appeal’s dismissal, Justice Swaminathan resumed contempt hearings and set aside the prohibitory orders issued by the Madurai district administration. He again permitted the lighting of the lamp at the hilltop, this time under the protection of Madurai city police, and warned that “harsh consequences will ensue” if officials continued to ignore the order.&nbsp;However, officials again blocked access, citing public order concerns while the Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing on its appeal against the High Court’s orders.

The court maintained that its directions on lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at Madurai’s Thiruparankundram temple do not affect the rights of the adjacent dargah and upheld the petitioners’ right to perform the ritual at the designated Deepathoon site.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Friday criticised the Tamil Nadu government over the Karthigai Deepam row and defying the high court ruling on the issue and alleged that it has adopted an “anti-Sanatan” stance. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Thakur said, “I want to raise a very important issue where one state in India has become a symbol of anti-Sanatan Dharma. Their ministers are making statements against Sanatan Dharma,” and added that the situation was such that the devotees had been compelled to seek judicial intervention to access the temple. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had recently pulled up the state government and accused officials of ignoring its order on lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at Madurai’s Thiruparankundram temple. The court maintained that its directions do not affect the rights of the adjacent dargah and upheld the petitioners’ right to perform the ritual at the designated Deepathoon site. He further alleged that devotees faced police action during the episode. “Hindus are lathi-charged... Why are Hindus stopped,” he asked the Tamil Nadu government over the treatment meted out to worshippers at the temple. Also Read: ‘Brazen attempt to browbeat’: 56 ex-judges slam opposition move to impeach Justice Swaminathan

The court maintained that its directions on lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp at Madurai’s Thiruparankundram temple do not affect the rights of the adjacent dargah and upheld the petitioners’ right to perform the ritual at the designated Deepathoon site.

‘Anti-Sanatan’: BJP MP Anurag Thakur attacks Tamil Nadu govt over lathicharge on devotees amid Karthigai Deepam row

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‘Very, very balanced’: Supreme Court upholds Madras HC order on Deepam row, backs curbs on namaz

Chaos at Thiruparankundram during Islamic event; public push for Deepam lighting

‘Anti-Sanatan’: Anurag Thakur attacks Tamil Nadu govt over Karthigai Deepam row