Thiruparankundram Lamp Row: Sacred Hill, Politics & PM Modi's Visit Ahead of TN Polls

• Thiruparankundram hill, a multi-faith site in Madurai, is embroiled in a legal and political dispute over lighting the Karthigai Deepam lamp atop the Deepathoon pillar.
• A 2025 Madras High Court order allowed the lamp lighting, which was upheld by a larger bench despite opposition from the Tamil Nadu government, police, and Wakf Board citing law-and-order concerns.
• The controversy intensified after Poornachandran died by self-immolation over the lamp lighting ban; PM Modi visited the temple and blamed the DMK government.
• The Supreme Court refused to intervene, calling the High Court's ruling 'very balanced,' even as over 100 opposition MPs sought impeachment against Justice Swaminathan.
• With state elections approaching, the issue has become a major political flashpoint, with CM MK Stalin defending the state's stance against politicizing faith.