The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench delivered a significant judgment on January 6, 2026, upholding a single judge's order that permits the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the 'Deepathoon' (stone pillar) on the Thirupparankundram hill. This ruling dismissed appeals filed by the Tamil Nadu government, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, and representatives associated with the Hazarath Sultan Sikkandar Badhusha Avuliya Dargah. The Division Bench, comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan, strongly criticized the state government's argument that allowing the ritual would create law and order issues. The judges famously remarked that the apprehension of communal disturbance was an "imaginary ghost created by state authorities for their convenience" to pit communities against each other. The court further asserted that such disturbances could only occur if "sponsored by the State itself". The judgment affirmed that the stone pillar, or Deepathoon, is unequivocally part of the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple's property and clarified that the Waqf Board currently holds no jurisdiction over this specific spot. The court emphasized that lighting the Deepam is an essential religious practice of the temple, and the state cannot interdict it by invoking prohibitory orders when the land belongs to the temple. While permitting the lighting of the lamp, the High Court stipulated that only a limited team from the temple administration would be allowed to carry out the ritual, with no public access to the hilltop. This must be done in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), as the hill is a protected site, ensuring compliance with heritage preservation guidelines. Following the verdict, the Tamil Nadu government announced its intention to appeal the decision before the Supreme Court. This landmark ruling underscores the interplay of religious customs, property rights, and state responsibility in preserving ancient traditions within a pluralistic society.