CHENNAI: The apex has on 23rd decided to hear a petition seeking direction to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take over the control of the Thiruparankundram Bhagwan Murugan Subramania Swamy temple in Madurai which has been in news following DMK government’s consistent stand not to allow Hindus to light lamp at the ancient stone pillar as direct by HC and subsequently upheld by the division benches.
Hindu Dharma Parishad has filed a PIL seeking the permanent lighting of a lamp atop the deepathoon at the top of Thiruparankundram hill for 24 hours daily. It stated that every year on Karthigai Deepam day in the month of Karthigai (December), the entire hill should be lit with lamps, and devotees of Bhagwan Murugan should be allowed to worship.
The petition said, “The petitioner states that the rise of temple encroachment and other religious hate speeches is worrying. Only if we put aside the identities and lines that divide us, give them little value, realise that we are all human beings, and prioritise love, brotherhood and harmony will the country walk on the path of peace in his ear. Keeping these in mind, it is beneficial for all parties not to take up matters that create division and unrest”.
He also said in the petition, “Tamil Nadu’s ruling party is supporting the act of inciting religious riots in the state. The HR and CE department has not given due importance to Bhagwan Murugan’s first base in Thiruparankundram. The TN government should immediately put an end to this conspiracy”.
The petition came before a division bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul Pancholi, which ordered the issuance of notices to the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre.
Before hearing the petition, the apex court wanted to know whether the matter was pending in the Madras High Court. It was reported that HC had upheld the single judge’s (Justice GR Swaminathan) order directing the lighting of the lamp, and the parties are planning to file a special leave petition challenging the order. The single judge has asked the temple management, in his order, to light the lamp at the deepathoon (stone pillar) atop the Thiruparankundram hillock.
The division bench, on January 6, while upholding the single judge’s order, dismissed fears of public disturbance, saying it was an ‘imaginary ghost which would only happen if sponsored by the state government. The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has said it will file an appeal against the division bench’s orders. The court slammed the DMK government, calling its claim that lighting a lamp would cause disturbances to public peace ridiculous.
