Lawmakers from Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are preparing to introduce a motion in Parliament seeking the impeachment of Madras High Court judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan, sources told NDTV on Monday. The unprecedented move follows the judge’s controversial ruling in the Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy temple case.
The dispute centres on the lighting of a ceremonial festival lamp on one of two ancient pillars — collectively known as ‘deepathon’ — located on a sacred hill that houses both a sixth-century Hindu temple and a 14th-century dargah. For more than a century, the lamp has traditionally been lit on the pillar located at the base of the hill.
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During a heated hearing on Monday, Justice Swaminathan overruled objections from the state government and temple authorities, directing that the lamp be lit on the upper pillar, located midway up the hill. While this deviates from long-established practice, the judge held that the upper pillar is also temple property and should therefore be included in the ritual. The court said the temple must assert its possession over both pillars.
The ruling has triggered strong reactions within the state government, culminating in the DMK’s decision to pursue impeachment proceedings — a rare and serious step that reflects the political and religious sensitivities surrounding the case.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
