Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Tamil Nadu Court Reserves Judgment on Deepam Row
There is a big argument about whether a person can light a lamp on an old stone pillar near a dargah (a place of worship) on a hill in Tamil Nadu.
The government and other groups say there is no proof that the pillar is meant for lighting lamps, and that the decision should be made by a civil court.
The person who wants to light the lamp says they have the right to do so.
The court has heard all the arguments and will decide later.
The Tamil Nadu government argues there is no evidence the pillar is a 'deepathoon' meant for lighting lamps.
The single judge's order permitting the petitioner to light a deepam is contested by the government and other parties.
The government claims the order alters long-standing temple traditions and should be decided by a civil court.
Multiple parties, including the Wakf Board and Devaswom Board, argue the pillar belongs to the dargah and any dispute should be settled in civil court.
The court has reserved its judgment after hearing arguments from all sides.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu government, Wakf Board, Dargah representatives, Devaswom Board, HR&CE Department, Police, and the petitioner
- What
- Dispute over lighting a lamp on an ancient stone pillar near a dargah at Thiruparankundram hill
- When
- Arguments concluded on Thursday, judgment reserved
- Where
- Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, Tamil Nadu
- Why
- To resolve the long-running dispute over the lighting of a lamp on the pillar
- Location
- Thiruparankundram hill, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Dispute
- Lighting of a lamp on an ancient stone pillar near a dargah
- Court
- Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court
- Government's Argument
- No historical or archaeological evidence for the pillar being a 'deepathoon'
- Petitioner's Claim
- Right to light a deepam on the pillar
- Opposing Parties
- Tamil Nadu government, Wakf Board, Dargah representatives, Devaswom Board, HR&CE Department, Police
- Status
- Arguments concluded, judgment reserved