Locals Demand Lamp Lighting on Thiruparankundram Hill After Madras HC Upholds Ritual

• Residents of Palani Andavar Temple Street demand lighting of Karthigai Deepam atop Thiruparankundram Hill, following a Madras High Court order.
• Madurai Bench of Madras High Court upheld the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, dismissing appeals from temple and district authorities.
• The court rejected arguments of public peace threat or infringement on a Muslim shrine, calling them "ridiculous" and "mischievous."
• BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan celebrated the verdict, while the Tamil Nadu government plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
• The court clarified that the lamp can be lit, with the number of persons fixed in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Why It Matters: Madras HC allows Karthigai Deepam on Thiruparankundram Hill; locals demand action, TN govt to appeal.