DMK Moves to Impeach Judge in Tamil Nadu Temple Lamp Controversy: Political and Religious Tensions Escalate

Chennai:

Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam legislators are planning to introduce a motion for the impeachment of Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court, NDTV sources revealed on Monday. This development comes following the judge's controversial ruling in the Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy temple case.

The dispute centers around the lighting of a ceremonial lamp on one of two historic pillars, known as 'deepathon,' situated on a hill that houses both the sixth-century temple and a fourteenth-century dargah.

During Monday's contentious hearing, Justice Swaminathan disregarded objections from both state government and temple authorities, ordering that the festival lamp be lit on the pillar located halfway up the hill rather than at the foot, which has been the traditional location for over a century.

The judge's reasoning stipulated that the upper pillar constitutes temple property and should therefore be incorporated into the ritual. The court emphasized the importance of the temple asserting its possession rights.

The DMK maintains that such a directive could potentially ignite communal tensions, particularly concerning with an Assembly election scheduled within six months. The party has also highlighted that Justice Swaminathan's order effectively reverses a 2017 judgment issued by a Madras High Court division bench.

Temple authorities did not implement the court's initial order; on Wednesday, December 3, during the festival, the lamp was traditionally lit on the lower pillar.

Displeased with this non-compliance, the judge subsequently mandated the lamp also be lit on the upper pillar, triggering chaotic scenes as hundreds attempted to ascend the hill to light the lamp—supported by armed central security forces—prompting district officials to prohibit large gatherings.

The situation continued to escalate rapidly.

On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu government's appeals were heard by a two-judge bench of the Madras High Court. Among various arguments presented, the state contended that it (along with the dargah administration, which also opposed lighting the lamp on the upper pillar) should have been granted 30 days to appeal the original Monday ruling before any enforcement order was issued.

The state further argued that deploying Central Industrial Security Force personnel constituted judicial overreach, noting that the force is intended to secure court facilities rather than enforce law. Additionally, it alleged the petitioner mobilized crowds, disrupted public harmony, and necessitated the imposition of prohibitory orders.

Petitioners countered by asserting that police refused to provide security despite court instructions and that the state's non-compliance had necessitated a second court directive permitting them to light the lamp.

The court ruled against the Tamil Nadu government, prompting the state to file a petition with the Supreme Court on Friday. While the apex court has agreed to hear the matter, no date has been established yet.

Politically, these developments are perceived as a setback for the DMK, which already faces allegations of maintaining an 'anti-Hindu' position to appeal to Muslim voters—a charge the party consistently denies.

Chief Minister MK Stalin responded on Sunday by accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has renewed its alliance with DMK's primary rivals, the AIADMK, for the upcoming election, of politicizing religious matters.

He emphasized that the Thiruparukundram temple ritual was conducted according to tradition—with the lamp lit on the lower pillar—and asserted that his government had never opposed spiritual practices. "...but some parties have a riot mindset. They are attempting to derail our growth by raising needless issues," he declared.