Rejecting the Madras High Court order, Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law R Nirmalkumar has declared that lamps will be lit on Thiruparankundram Hill during Karthigai Deepam following the existing practice, defying the court’s directive.
Speaking on the issue, the minister said the government would not allow any individual or religious force to use the matter for political purposes. “We will not allow 100 per cent of anyone or any religious force to enter into this and engage in politics,” he said. Nirmalkumar stated that the lamp would be lit using the existing pathway on Thiruparankundram hill.
The remarks come after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday orally sought the new state government’s position on the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam dispute. The court also extended the interim stay granted against several interim orders passed by Justice GR Swaminathan in contempt petitions arising from the alleged non-implementation of his earlier order directing the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam on the deepathoon atop the hill.
The issue has become a political debate, with the BJP criticising the state government for its approach. Reacting to Nirmalkumar’s comments, former Telangana governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan strongly criticised the minister. She accused him of portraying the struggle for rights as a threat to peace and questioned his argument that the situation should remain as it was two years ago.
“The previous government was rejected precisely because the sentiments of the majority in Thirupparankunram were disregarded,” Soundararajan said. She also claimed that the minister’s remarks did not appear to show respect for the High Court’s observations or the ongoing case.
Soundararajan further objected to the minister’s comments regarding press interactions and criticised the suggestion that traditional media had become less relevant. She alleged that ministers of the TVK government were not adequately addressing problems within their own departments and were instead handling emotionally sensitive issues casually.
Soundararajan said the minister should focus on resolving power cuts and irregularities in the electricity sector rather than concentrating on preventing the lighting of lamps at Thiruparankundram.
The Karthigai Deepam dispute highlights the tension between religious traditions, court orders, and political sensitivities in Tamil Nadu.
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