DMK Plans Impeachment Motion Against Madras High Court Judge Amid Temple Lamp Dispute

Chennai | December 8, 2025 Lawmakers from Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are preparing to move a motion to impeach Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court, according to sources familiar with the development. The move comes after the judge’s ruling in the Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy temple case triggered political tension and public unrest. The dispute began over the lighting of a ceremonial lamp during a major temple festival. The centuries-old hill, which houses the sixth-century Subramaniaswamy temple and a 14th-century dargah, has two ancient stone pillars known locally as ‘deepathon’. For more than a hundred years, the lamp has been lit on the pillar at the base of the hill. Earlier this week, however, Justice Swaminathan ruled that the lamp must instead be lit on the upper pillar, stating that the structure too is temple property and should be part of the ritual. The state government, temple authorities, and the dargah administration objected strongly, arguing the judge’s decision could heighten religious tensions, especially with the Assembly election just months away. They also pointed out that the order overturned a 2017 judgment from a division bench of the same court, which had upheld the traditional practice. The festival took place on December 3, but temple authorities did not follow the new direction. As in previous years, the lamp was lit at the lower pillar. This led the judge to issue a fresh directive that the lamp be lit at the upper pillar as well. The announcement sparked chaotic scenes on the hill, as hundreds of people attempted to climb up and carry out the ritual. Armed central forces, brought in on the judge’s instructions, were present at the site, prompting district officials to impose restrictions on large gatherings to prevent clashes. The matter escalated quickly. The Tamil Nadu government filed an urgent appeal before a two-judge bench of the Madras High Court, arguing that it should have been given 30 days to challenge the original order. The government also said calling in the CISF went beyond the court’s authority, since the force is meant primarily for protecting court buildings and is not meant to enforce civilian orders. Officials further claimed that the petitioner encouraged crowds to assemble, creating an atmosphere of unrest. The petitioners disagreed, saying the police refused to provide security despite the court’s clear instruction. They argued that the need for a second order arose only because the state chose not to comply with the first one. The division bench refused to grant relief to the Tamil Nadu government. With no other option, the state approached the Supreme Court on Friday. The top court has agreed to hear the matter but has not yet set a date for the hearing. Politically, the controversy has become a setback for the DMK. Critics, particularly from the BJP and the AIADMK—now allies again for the upcoming election—have accused the DMK government of following an “anti-Hindu” line, a claim the ruling party has consistently rejected. Chief Minister MK Stalin responded sharply on Sunday, accusing the BJP of trying to stir religious issues for political gain. He stressed that the lamp was lit at the traditional spot and insisted that his government had never opposed spiritual customs. He said some political forces were deliberately trying to create unrest for electoral advantage, adding that Tamil Nadu’s development should not be derailed by unnecessary controversies. The impeachment move against Justice Swaminathan is expected to add another layer of tension to an already charged political and social atmosphere in the state. DMK Plans Impeachment Motion Against Madras High Court Judge Amid Temple Lamp Dispute It’s been a tense week in Tamil Nadu, as the long-standing tradition of lighting a temple lamp has now turned into a full-blown political and legal storm. The DMK is planning to move a motion to impeach Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court after his ruling in the Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy temple case set off chaos on the ground and loud debates in the state. The issue started when the judge ordered that the festival lamp be lit on the upper pillar on the temple hill, instead of the lower pillar where it has been lit for more than 100 years. The state government and temple officials argued that changing the ritual could spark religious tension, especially with Assembly elections just months away. The upper pillar is also near a centuries-old dargah, making the matter even more sensitive. When the temple continued with the traditional practice on December 3 and lit the lamp at the lower pillar, the judge issued another order demanding it be lit on the upper pillar as well. This led to dramatic scenes as crowds tried climbing the hill, backed by central forces brought in for security. Officials had to restrict gatherings to keep things under control. The state rushed to the Madras High Court with an appeal, saying they should have had time to challenge the first order and that calling in the CISF was unnecessary. But the court didn’t offer relief, pushing the government to approach the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, political parties have turned the issue into an election flashpoint, with the DMK and BJP trading accusations. Tamil Nadu now waits for the next big move in this heated chapter.