Thiruparankundram Deepam Row: Hindu Munnani urges TVK govt to honour court orders, launches postcard campaign

VSK Telangana    12-Jun-2026
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Thiruparankundram Deepam Row

Hindu Munnani, which has been spearheading the Thiruparankundram issue for a long time, has now launched a signature and postcard campaign urging the TVK government to honour court orders and permit the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop Thiruparankundram Hill. The campaign comes amid a fresh controversy triggered by statements made by TVK ministers and leaders indicating that the government would continue with the existing status quo despite court rulings on the issue.

Addressing media persons in Madurai recently, Tamil Nadu Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said the situation that existed two years ago, or even ten years ago, should continue on the hill.

Reiterating the TVK government’s stand on the Thiruparankundram Hill issue, he said on June 6 that the government was committed to maintaining the peaceful “status quo” that had existed over the past several years and would not allow communal forces to exploit the issue for political gains.

Reacting to the remarks, Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Tirupathi said, “It is highly condemnable to say that the government would maintain the status quo in the Deepam issue. It is unfair and irresponsible to suggest that court verdicts will not be honoured. Does he not know that two officials expressed regret before the court in this regard? He should read the court orders before speaking. If the government merely wants to continue what existed two years ago, then it is not needed and can resign.”

BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan accused the TVK government of ignoring Hindu sentiments. “Hindus are fighting for the right to light the lamp at Thiruparankundram. Like the previous DMK government, they are setting aside people’s emotions. We cannot accept it and we will not give up our rights,” she said.

Adding to the political debate, TVK MLA Madhar Badharudheen said that both the DMK and BJP were responsible for the Thiruparankundram lamp controversy.

Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu, on June 7, urged the TVK government to remain firm on the Deepam issue and not succumb to pressure from what he described as religious fringe elements seeking to politicise the controversy.

He said, “The people of Tamil Nadu have already rejected these fringe elements. The government should also reject them.”

The Tamil Nadu units of the CPI and CPM also backed Chief Minister Joseph Vijay-led TVK government’s position that the practices followed over the years regarding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop the hill should continue.

Hindu Munnani, however, expressed confidence that the TVK government would ultimately implement the court orders. “We are confident that the TVK government will light the Deepam as per the court orders. It should remember what happened to the DMK government that refused to honour High Court orders and was defeated in the 2026 Assembly elections,” the organisation said.

As part of its campaign, Hindu Munnani launched a postcard movement in Vellore seeking implementation of the court order permitting the lighting of the lamp atop Thiruparankundram Hill.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court recently declined to interfere with a Madras High Court order that had dismissed a petition seeking action against officials accused of preventing Hindu devotees from lighting lamps on Thiruparankundram Hill while allegedly permitting Ramzan-related celebrations.

A Bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha, Aravind Kumar and Shree Chandrashekhar declined to interfere with the Madurai Bench order but reduced the costs imposed on the petitioner, Hindu Dharma Parishad.

In its June 2 order, the Bench observed: “While we are not inclined to interfere with the impugned order passed by the High Court, we are of the opinion that the imposition of costs quantified at Rs 50,000 is on the excessive side and can be reduced to Rs 5,000 in the facts and circumstances of the case. Ordered accordingly.”

Written By TS Venkatesan 
 (Courtesy: Organiser)
Thiruparankundram TVK Government Tamil Nadu Hindu Munnani Madras High Court Karthigai Deepam Joseph Vijay