Overview
- The challenge targets the Madras High Court’s January 6 order that permitted lighting the lamp at the Deepathoon only after clearance from the ASI and police.
- The division bench affirmed the stone pillar site belongs to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple while directing that the ritual be regulated on the protected archaeological hill.
- The petition argues decisions on where and by whom the Deepam is lit fall under Article 26 protections for internal religious management and cannot rest on administrative discretion without legislation.
- On January 23, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and Tamil Nadu in a separate Hindu Dharma Parishad plea concerning an ASI takeover and daily lamp lighting.
- The filing also alleges discriminatory access, claiming devotees of another faith can reach the Nellithope area while Hindu worship at the hilltop faces controls lacking legal authority.