The Madras High Court is scheduled to announce its decision on the Thiruparankundram Hill lamp case on Tuesday. This follows a series of appeals challenging a previous ruling that allowed the lighting of a ceremonial lamp on the hilltop. The case, heard by a Division Bench, involves debates on whether lighting the lamp is a religious practice or a claim of property rights.
The appeals were filed by various parties, including the Charitable Trust Department and the Dargah administration, against the initial order. The central issue revolves around the existence of a lamp post on the hill’s summit and the implications of such an act in terms of religious practice or land ownership.
Chief Advocate P.S. Raman, representing the Tamil Nadu government, argued that there is no credible evidence of a historical lamp post on the hilltop. He emphasized the government’s stance that no such structure exists. Raman cited historical records to support the government’s position, highlighting that previous inspections and judgments did not mention any lamp pillar on the hill.
The Chief Advocate further contended that temple authorities have the exclusive right to conduct rituals in accordance with the law. He suggested that the matter should have been addressed in a civil court due to its implications on rights and practices. The Division Bench, after hearing arguments from all sides, has reserved its verdict, expected to be delivered on Tuesday.
