DMK, BJP members face off in Lok Sabha over Karthigai Deepam ritual at Thirupparankundram temple

The Lok Sabha on Friday (December 5, 2025) witnessed a face-off between the Dravida  Munnetra Kazhagam  (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the long-standing dispute over lighting the Karthigai Deepam at the dheepathoon (pillar) atop the hill at Thirupparankundram.

DMK leader T.R. Baalu accused the BJP of trying to “ignite communal tensions” in Tamil Nadu, while Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan alleged that the State government was “denying devotees their right to worship”.

As soon as Question Hour started, DMK members trooped into the well of the Lok Sabha, raising the issue of lighting the Karthigai Deepam at the stone lamp pillar close to a dargah on the hill. Their protest forced an early adjournment of the Question Hour. Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Mr. Baalu claimed that the BJP was stoking communal sentiments in the State. “Who should light the deepam on the hill,” he asked, referring to a recent order of the Madras High Court.

When the senior DMK leader made some remarks about the High Court judge who had given the order, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren  Rijiju intervened and said there were not acceptable. He urged the Chair to expunge the comments from the record.

Mr. Murugan accused the State government of suppressing devotees’ rights at the Subramaniya Swamy Temple. As he spoke, DMK members approached Mr. Rijiju’s seat, prompting TDP member Krishna Prasad  Tenneti — presiding at the time — to urge them to remain within the well.

“The State government is targeting a particular community, and law and order in the region is being disturbed,” Mr. Murugan said, adding that the Tamil Nadu police had detained devotees headed — under CISF  protection — to light the Karthigai Deepam in accordance with the court orders. “The police not only stopped the worshippers but also arrested them. The Tamil Nadu BJP president has also been taken into custody,” he said.

On December 1, the High Court ruled that the Subramania Swamy  Temple management was duty-bound to light the lamp at dheepathoon, in addition to the customary lamp near the Uchi  Pillaiyar Mandapam. The court clarified that this would not infringe upon the rights of the adjacent dargah or the Muslim community.