Karthigai Deepam row intensifies: Lok Sabha adjourned, case filed against 113 people

New Delhi: Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were adjourned until 12 noon on Friday after DMK members staged protests over the lighting of a ceremonial lamp in Tamil Nadu’s 'Deepathoon'.

The DMK-led state government has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Madras High Court order that allowed devotees of the Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple to light the traditional Karthigai Deepam lamp at the Deepathoon, a stone lamp pillar on the Thiruparankundram hillock located near a dargah.

DMK MPs attempted to raise the issue in the House, with some entering the Well (central space in front of the Speaker's podium) in protest. Speaker Om Birla reminded the members that the matter is currently before the court and urged them to return to their seats.

Despite that, at least four questions and supplementaries were taken up during the Question Hour, the disruptions persisted, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House until noon.

BJP chief among those booked by police

Police have registered a case against 113 people, among them are some senior party leaders, H Raja and Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran. They were booked for taking part in a protest on December 4 demanding permission to light the ceremonial lamp atop the Thiruparankundram hill, officials said on Friday.

Nagenthran and Raja were detained for several hours on Thursday night and were released at around 11:20 pm, confirmed PTI.

The protest followed a ruling by a single-judge bench of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, which had ordered that the lamp be lit at the hilltop and revoked Section 144 prohibitory orders imposed by the district administration.

After the court directive, the petitioner, along with the BJP state chief, senior party leaders and members of the Hindu Munnani, visited Thiruparankundram on Thursday. However, police stopped them, stating that entry to the hill remained restricted.

According to sources, when the group attempted to proceed despite warnings, they were taken into custody, transported in police vehicles and detained in private halls.

PTI