Tamil Nadu BJP Condemns INDIA Bloc's Impeachment Move Against Judge in Temple Lamp Controversy

Chennai:

The Tamil Nadu BJP on Tuesday strongly condemned Opposition MPs for their move to submit a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking the removal of Justice GR Swaminathan from the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court.

The controversy stems from Justice Swaminathan's directive to Subramaniya Swamy Temple authorities in Thirupparankundram hill, Madurai, requiring them to ensure a lamp remains lit at the deepathoon (pillar) situated near a dargah on the hill.

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran expressed his disapproval on X, stating, "The DMK-Congress alliance, attempting to intimidate the judiciary, will face defeat by the people. It is truly shameful that INDIA alliance MPs are pursuing a resolution to remove Justice GR Swaminathan, who merely upheld Tamils' cultural rights through his judgment."

More than 120 opposition parliamentarians, including prominent figures like Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, presented the proposal to the Lok Sabha Speaker on Tuesday afternoon. This action has highlighted the growing tensions between Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK party, represented by Kanimozhi, and a member of the state's judiciary.

The BJP maintained that Opposition MPs lacked the moral authority to initiate an impeachment motion against a judge. The party further alleged that the DMK was targeting Justice Swaminathan specifically because of his Brahmin background.

"The position adopted by the DMK and Congress is clearly anti-Brahmin," BJP Spokesperson Narayana Thirupathi told NDTV.

"DMK and its allies have absolutely no moral right to pursue an impeachment motion against the judge," he added.

On December 1, Justice Swaminathan, sitting as a single-judge bench, ruled that the Arulmighu Subramania Swamy temple was obligated to light the lamp at the stone lamp pillar located on the Thiruparankundram hillock near the dargah.

The court determined that this practice would not infringe upon the rights of either the adjacent dargah or the Muslim community. When the directive remained unimplemented, the judge issued a subsequent order on December 3 allowing devotees to light the lamp themselves and instructed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide necessary protection. This development prompted the DMK-led state government to approach the Supreme Court.

Accusing the DMK government of engaging in appeasement politics regarding the Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy temple case, the BJP spokesperson remarked, "No Muslim has opposed the lighting of Karthigai Deepam on Thirupparankundram top. They cannot oppose it since the property falls within the temple premises. There is absolutely no justification for impeachment."

The Supreme Court on Friday indicated its willingness to consider hearing the Tamil Nadu government's challenge to the Madras High Court order.