Joseph Vijay led TVK government informs the High court with a confusing reply when the Madurai bench of the Madras High court sought its stand on lighting deepam stand issue. To this TVK government it has appealed to the apex court besides saying it has a doubt whether to follow the HC orders or to retain the 100 years old practice of lighting atop the hill.
On June 22, a bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman orally said that the division bench had already upheld the order of the single judge for lighting a lamp at the deepathoon (stone pillar) in the hill.
The court was hearing appeals filed by the Tamil Nadu against various orders passed in the contempt proceedings in Deepam issue. It has orally asked if the issue could be given a quietus.
The court observed orally “the order does not affect anyone, the court asked the State what the difficulty was in implementing the order, instead of keeping the case pending before the High Court. Nobody is affected here. Division bench has asked authorities to do something. What’s difficult in that? Why do you want to keep this matter alive? You can sit together and give a quietus to this. There’s a division bench order. We have to see the interest of people there. They reside there. They know ground reality. Ask both sides to sit together, mediate and find a solution. Why don’t you be responsible counsels on both sides and see” .
These remarks were made after the court was told that the TN govt has filed a Special Leave Petition against the order of the division bench, which had upheld the order of the single judge to light lamp at the hill.
The petitioner devotee also informed the court that they have filed a separate special leave petition against a particular portion of the division bench’s order, which asked the temple authorities to take steps to light the lamp which would affect the devotees’ rights”.
The HC after taking note of the pending appeals before the Supreme Court, adjourned the hearing as well extending interim stay granted on various orders of the single judge in the contempt proceedings.
Reacting to this, Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara C Subrmaniam in a statement asked Is TVK govt another version of DMK? Delaying taking stand on lighting issue creates doubt. The court asked the stand of the Joseph Vijay led government’s stand on the issue in its earlier hearing. In an affidavit filed before, the TVK govt informed the court in a confusing manner. It said they are in a dilemma whether to honour the HC orders or continue the status quo that prevailed years ago which is a 100 years practice. It would move the SC soon. It is the good time the newly elected (by the people) should honour the court orders. It is its solemn duty; The government’s duty ends when its told its stand during the hearing of the case. Instead of implementing the court orders, the TVK government handling the issue and its confused status exposes its administrative failure as well public confidence in it”.
Hindu Munnani said “TVK is in power with the support of former DMK allies. So can we conclude that it continues with the DMK’s anti Hindu meausres. It appears that he is being forced to follow their diktats? CM Joseph Vijay should remember people have thrown the DMK led government for it taking anti Hindu stand on various occasions including Deepam issue. It had incurred the Hindus’s anger and lost their confidence. TVK should realise this and act. Otherwise, people would think it is another version of DMK and would lose public faith”.
Subramaniam said “on June 21, at the state general counsel of the Hindu Munnani, it has adopted a resolution seeking lighting lamp at the ancient stone pillar. Hence, we urge the new TVK govt to take a stand keeping sentiments, beliefs and emotions of Hindus dropping anti Hindu of stand of DMK. It should give assurance to this effect in the court instead of prolonging the issue continuing legal battle in courts”.
A netizen says “govt has changed but the practice and rule remains the same…”
TN BJP youth wing functionary SG Surya in a post in X questions the TVK govt why it refuses to follow the centuries old tradition of lighting lamp atop stone pillar? We condemn its move of appealing in SC. It is blatant anti hindu stand of TVK govt.”
CM Vijay should take on all religions and honour court verdicts. Instead of appealing like the previous DMK using the temple funds against its own interests will not augur well for an elected, secular government.
Politicians often believe that some issues will fade away with time if they are left unresolved. However, experience has shown that some issues only grow bigger when governments refuse to confront them. Instead of disappearing, they gather momentum and eventually become far more difficult to resolve, often politically punishing those who chose inaction.
In India, some politicians have mastered the art of sitting on the fence on crucial issues while in power, attempting to deceive innocent voters through calculated ambiguity. However, people expect strong leadership, who takes decisions in the interest of the nation and its people rather than weighing every move through the prism of political gain.
One such issue is the lighting of the traditional Deepam atop the ancient stone pillar at Tiruparankundram hill. What should have been a straightforward matter of implementing a court order and respecting a long-standing religious practice has instead become increasingly complicated.
Whenever such issues are linked to the apprehension that they may hurt the sentiments of Muslims, governments often become hesitant, preferring political calculations over decisive governance. As a result, matters remain unresolved, society continues to live amid fear-mongering and uncertainty, and a simple issue gradually turns into a larger political and legal controversy.
The Tiruparankundram Deepam issue has now become the first real test for the Joseph Vijay-led TVK government. The manner in which it resolves the issue will indicate whether it is prepared to take an independent and decisive stand, or whether it will continue the approach adopted by the previous government.
