🔥 TAMIL NADU DEEPAM CONTROVERSY: GOVERNOR–GOVERNMENT CLASH INTENSIFIES

Summary

A fresh confrontation has erupted between Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s government over the conduct of the Karthigai Deepam ritual at Thiruparankundram, further straining already tense relations between Raj Bhavan and the state administration.

Speaking at a public event, Governor R.N. Ravi alleged that the Tamil Nadu government attempted to block the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam and accused the administration of defying a Madras High Court order that permitted the ritual. He described the alleged obstruction as unprecedented and claimed that the state had used “all its might” to prevent the ceremony.

The Governor further charged the government with intimidating Justice G.R. Swaminathan, pointing to an impeachment motion moved against the judge following his ruling related to the ritual. Ravi framed this as an attack on judicial independence, intensifying the political stakes of the dispute.

In response, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin strongly rejected the allegations, asserting that the ritual was conducted exactly as per long-standing tradition at the designated locations on the Thiruparankundram hill. Stalin accused political opponents of manufacturing a controversy for “cheap politics” and attempting to create unrest in the name of spirituality.

He emphasised that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department had properly carried out all rituals, including the Bala Deepam and Paala Deepam, and that devotees had peaceful darshan. Stalin argued that the issue was being deliberately amplified to portray the government as anti-spiritual, despite the administration having consecrated over 3,000 temples in recent years.

The Chief Minister also invoked Tamil Nadu’s social justice legacy, stating that the “lamp of equality lit by Periyar” would continue to shine, and warned against divisive politics that exploit religious sentiment for political gain.

Context & Significance

• The dispute reflects ongoing friction between the Governor and the DMK government, part of a broader national debate over gubernatorial roles in opposition-ruled states.
• The Karthigai Deepam ritual, deeply significant in Tamil Hindu tradition, has become a symbolic flashpoint in the political narrative.
• Allegations involving a High Court judge have raised concerns about judicial independence and political pressure, adding a constitutional dimension to the controversy.

Ethical Journalism Note

This summary is based solely on verified reporting from multiple reputable news sources and avoids speculation, partisan framing, or unverified claims. All perspectives have been presented with balance and clarity, ensuring accuracy and public accountability.