Tamil Nadu Government Accused of Pressuring Judiciary Over Temple Dispute, Impeachment Attempt Sparks Alarm

The recent move by opposition leaders to initiate impeachment proceedings against Madras High Court Judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan has raised unprecedented concerns about political interference in the judiciary. This follows Justice Swaminathan’s rulings related to the Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple on Tirupparankundram Hill, where an ancient tradition of lighting lamps on stone pillars (Deepthoon) during the Kartigai Deepam festival was restricted by local authorities.

Background of the Temple Dispute

The Tirupparankundram hill, located 10 km from Madurai, houses one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan. The controversy stems from the presence of a 17th-century Sikandar Wadhusah Dargah atop the hill. Temple devotees consider the hill as a sacred Shivalinga, with the temple at its center, while some Muslim organizations have campaigned to rename it Sikandar Malai Hill.

In early December, authorities prevented devotees from performing the traditional lamp-lighting ritual scheduled for December 3. This prompted a contempt petition in the Madras High Court, leading Justice Swaminathan to order that the festival proceed as per tradition.