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.
https://twitter.com/arun10venkat/status/2063179043214868637
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.
வெடித்த தீபத்தூண் பிரச்சனை !! சிக்கிய CTR Nirmal Kumar ? அம்பலபடுத்திய Adv வாஞ்சிநாதன் Press Meet #Thiruparankundram #thiruparankundramissue #AdvVAnchinathan #CTRNirmalkumar #CMVIjay #BJP #Arakalagam pic.twitter.com/xu7y6LbuMW
— Thavam (@ThavamOfficial) June 9, 2026
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.”
திருப்பரங்குன்றம் தீபம் விவகாரத்தில் நீதிமன்றம் அளித்த உத்தரவை அமல்படுத்தமாட்டோம். இரண்டு வருடங்களுக்கு முன்னர் எந்த நிலை இருந்ததோ, அதே நிலை தான் தொடரும். மதவாத சக்திகளின் விருப்பத்தை நிறைவேற்ற மாட்டோம் என்று தமிழக சட்டத்துறை அமைச்சர் நிர்மல் குமார் கூறியிருப்பது வன்மையாக…
— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) June 6, 2026
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.
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan hit out at the TVK government over the Thiruparankundram Deepam row, accusing it of ignoring Hindu sentiments
"Hindus are fighting for the right to light the lamp at Thiruparankundram. Like the previous DMK government, they are maintaining the… https://t.co/Smq1a5Onou pic.twitter.com/tR2XLHnWQj
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) June 6, 2026
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.”
திருப்பரங்குன்றம் தீபம் – மதவாத Fringe Elements-ஐ அரசு புறந்தள்ள வேண்டும்!
'பெரும்பாலான மக்கள் அமைதியை விரும்புகிறார்கள். இரண்டு ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு வரை என்ன சூழ்நிலை நிலவியதோ அது தொடர வேண்டும் என்று தான் மக்களும் விரும்புகிறார்கள். இது தான் அரசின் கொள்கை. இதில் மாற்றுக்கருத்து… pic.twitter.com/crfpkX39B6
— வன்னி அரசு (@VanniTamizhVCK) June 7, 2026
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.
முருக பக்தர்களின் உணர்வுக்கு மதிப்பளித்து, திருப்பரங்குன்றம் தீபத்தூணில் தீபமேற்றிட வேண்டும்..
உயர்நீதிமன்ற தீர்ப்பை மதித்து, தவெக அரசு நிச்சயம் தீபம் ஏற்றிடும் என்று நம்புகிறோம்..@CMOTamilnadu #Thirupparankunram #Deepathoon #TVKGovt #CMJosephVijay #HinduMunnani pic.twitter.com/1LusJCeEA1
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) June 9, 2026
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.
TN : Hindu Munnani launches postcard campaign in Vellore seeking implementation of court order to light lamp atop Thirupparankundram Hill. pic.twitter.com/P1Sl18SZjc
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) June 10, 2026
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.”
