The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has granted time to the Tamil Nadu government to state its position on permitting worship near the Deepathoon (lamp pillar) located on the hilltop of Thiruparankundram. The direction came while hearing a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with an earlier order related to lighting the lamp at the site.
Justice G.R. Swaminathan noted that the court had earlier suggested allowing a five-member team nominated by the court to go to the hilltop and perform a brief symbolic prayer for about 15 minutes, clarifying that it was a recommendation and not a binding guideline. The government had sought time to respond.
During the hearing, senior police officials, temple police, members of the temple trustee board and the executive officer appeared before the court. Law officers and counsels representing the government, temple administration, police commissioner and petitioners also participated.
The government submitted that any permission would require approvals not only from the temple’s sthanikar but also from the HR&CE department, and that decisions were needed on compliance with Agama norms. It said the trustee board had passed a resolution to obtain the necessary legal clearances and sought two weeks’ time to decide.
The judge questioned how the administration could step back even from the proposed arrangement, and stressed that the matter should not be turned into politics. The court granted time for the state to convey its stand on allowing worship near the Deepathoon by a court-nominated team.
