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BJP's Deepathoon Demand at Murugan Hill Sparks Political Row in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran has called for the lighting of the ceremonial Deepathoon lamp atop Thiruparankundram Hill, performing a Girivalam on Purnima. Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the DMK government, linking its opposition to the court order with the death of a devotee who self-immolated. The political clash centers on a Madras High Court verdict allowing the lamp lighting, which the DMK opposed and even led to MPs seeking impeachment against the judge. The Supreme Court recently declined to interfere with related High Court orders on religious practices at a nearby dargah.

Key Points: BJP Calls for Lighting Deepathoon at Thiruparankundram Hill

  • BJP demands lamp lighting on Thiruparankundram Hill
  • PM Modi slams DMK over devotee's death
  • Madras HC order on religious rights upheld
  • Political clash over religious practice
3 min read

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nagendran calls for lighting of Deepathoon at Thiruparankundram Hill

TN BJP chief Nagendran demands lamp lighting on holy hill, as PM Modi slams DMK over devotee's death and court order controversy.

"truth and Lord Murugan will win. - Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

Madurai, March 3

Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran performed the Girivalam around Thirupparankundram Hill on Monday on the occasion of the full Moon, during which he called for the lighting of the Deepathoon atop the hill.

Speaking to ANI, the Tamil Nadu BJP President stated that they offered prayers for global peace and the prosperity of India. He called for the lighting of the lamp on Thiruparankundram Hill in Madurai.

"Today is Purnima Day... So, we visited the Murugan temple in Thiruparankundram. We are praying for peace all over the world and prosperity for our India... One of my demands is lighting the lamp in Thiruparankundram Hill..." Nagendran told ANI.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the family of the devotee Poornachandran, who set himself ablaze over the Karthigai Deepam row.

Slamming the DMK for opposing the Madras High Court verdict allowing the devotees to light the ceremonial lamp on the Deepa Thoon at the summit of the Thiruparankundram hill, the Prime Minister said that "truth and Lord Murugan will win."

PM Modi also blamed the DMK for Poornachandran's demise, calling the state government "insensitive."

"Today, in Madurai, I remembered Thiru Poornachandran. This happened due to the insensitivity of the DMK Government in the state. And, no matter what they do, the truth will win. Devotees of Lord Murugan will win. I met his wife, Thirumathi Indumathi Ji, as well as his sons," PM Modi wrote on X.

"Before coming here, I went to Thiruparankundram to get the darshan of lord Murugan for the divine experience. I prayed for the prosperity of Tamil Nadu and the entire nation. At the same time, my heart felt heavy, and I remembered the young devotee who sacrificed his life. Today, I met his wife and their two little children. I felt that sadness and offered my deepest condolences to them. No matter what DMK does, the truth and devotees of Lord Murugan will win," he said while addressing the gathering in Madurai.

The DMK government in the state opposed the court order allowing the devotees to light the lamp atop the hill, while the BJP rallied in favour of the devotees. During the Winter Session of Parliament last year, over 100 INDIA bloc MPs submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking an impeachment motion against Justice GR Swaminathan, who gave the order.

In January 2026, Madras High Court Justice G R Swaminathan expressed strong displeasure over the failure of Madurai district authorities to file their response in a contempt of court case concerning the non-lighting of the ceremonial lamp on the Deepa Thoon at the summit of the Thiruparankundram hill.

The contempt petition was filed against government officials for allegedly failing to comply with an earlier order passed by Justice Swaminathan.

Last month, the Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Madras High Court's October 2025 judgment. Upholding the High Court's ruling, the apex court held that Muslims are entitled to offer prayers at the Sikandar Badusha Avuliya Dargah only on the occasions of Ramzan and Bakri-Id, and not on a daily basis. The court also affirmed the prohibition on animal sacrifice within the Dargah premises.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Very sad about the devotee's death. No political issue is worth a life. The government should have handled this with more sensitivity from the start. Now it's become a full-blown political battle between DMK and BJP, and the common devotee is caught in the middle.
A
Arjun K
As a Tamilian, I feel both sides are politicizing faith. The hill has both a temple and a dargah. The court has balanced the rights. The focus should be on peaceful coexistence, not on which party can claim credit. Let the lamp be lit as per the court order, without any drama.
S
Sarah B
Reading this from abroad. It's concerning when religious sites become political tools. The Supreme Court and High Court have given clear rulings. All parties should just follow the law and ensure public safety. My heart goes out to the family that lost their loved one.
K
Karthik V
The demand to light the deepathoon is completely valid. It's a centuries-old tradition. DMK's opposition feels more like anti-BJP politics than anything else. They should not stand in the way of devotees' sentiments, especially after a court order.
M
Meera T
While I support the lighting of the lamp, I wish the BJP state president had focused more on the prayer for peace and prosperity he mentioned, rather than just repeating the demand. The tone feels confrontational. Can we not have a more harmonious approach? The hill is sacred to many.

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