Madras HC permits peaceful hunger strike for Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon

Madurai (Tamil Nadu): The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday allowed a peaceful hunger strike at Thiruparankundram on December 13, urging authorities to permit the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop the Deepathoon hill.

The court’s approval comes with strict conditions: no slogans are to be raised, and the event must remain apolitical.

Justice S Srimathy passed the order on a petition filed by advocate R Prabhu from Thiruparankundram, who had challenged the police’s rejection of his application on December 8.

Following the court’s directions, the fast will allow only 50 participants and will be held between 9 am and 5 pm, using a single microphone. “No provocative slogans against individuals or groups are permitted; only mantras may be chanted,” the order noted. The judge emphasised that neither the petitioner nor the police should politicise the event, and the entire protest must be recorded on video.

Prabhu said, “The tradition of lighting the lamp on the Deepathoon continued until 1926, but was discontinued due to civil disputes. Although the High Court recently directed that the lamp be lit again, the order has not yet been implemented.” As a result, local residents proposed a one-day fast at Mayil Mandapam on Sannidhi Street on December 13.

Earlier, on Sunday, leaders and members of the Thoothukudi South District BJP and Hindu Munnani staged a major protest against the DMK government, claiming restrictions imposed hurt the spiritual sentiments of devotees despite the High Court allowing the traditional beacon lighting.

The protest, held at VVD Signal in Thoothukudi, escalated when demonstrators attempted to breach police barricades, leading to scuffles. Senior state and district BJP office-bearers, mandal leaders, party workers and Hindu Munnani members actively participated.

ANI