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Piyush Goyal welcomed Madras High Court’s order allowing Karthigai Deepam lighting at Thiruparankundram hills, amid DMK plans to challenge the verdict.
BJP leader Piyush Goyal accused the DMK leaders of attacking the Sanatan Dharma. (File photo)
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal on Tuesday welcomed the Madras High Court’s order allowing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thiruparankundram hills, calling it a “justice” for devotees.
Addressing a press conference, Goyal said the verdict was significant in the larger context of what he described as repeated attacks on Sanatan Dharma by leaders of the ruling DMK.
“HC has done justice to the devotees of this temple. It is not a mere coincidence that CM and other leaders have consistently attacked Sanatan Dharma. In September, Udhayanidhi made an audacious demand to remove the Sanatan Dharma. Devotees had to go to court to get their rights to light a lamp,” he said.
His remarks came after the ruling DMK announced to move the Supreme Court to challenge the HC order.
Responding to the court’s decision, DMK said the state government would study the verdict before deciding its next steps. “We will read the verdict. Govt will take a decision on next course of action. DMK has done more for Hindus than any other party. DMK is recognised by people of tamil nadu more than 50 % vote share. Govt has to listen to the voice of people and to the police what can create the law and order situation or not,” the party said.
Further, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also welcomed the judgment, stating that the ruling had upheld religious sentiments. Speaking to CNN-News18, she said, “Hindu Sentiment has been respected. DMK Govt is exposed now.”
Earlier in the day, the Madras High Court dismissed concerns raised by the Tamil Nadu government regarding potential law and order issues and upheld the order permitting the traditional lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the hilltop pillar. The court strongly rejected the argument that the ritual could disturb communal harmony.
A Division Bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan delivered the verdict while disposing of a batch of appeals filed by the Executive Officer of the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, the Madurai District Collector, and the Madurai City Police Commissioner.
The ruling is being seen as a significant development in the ongoing political and cultural debate surrounding religious practices in Tamil Nadu.
January 06, 2026, 14:40 IST
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