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Officials ignoring the law is an attack on constitutional values : Madras High Court

Administration held in contempt over the Karthigai Deepam festival issue in Tamil Nadu

Kartikai Deepam Festival (Collected Photographs)

Madurai (Tamil Nadu) – The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court took a stern stand while hearing contempt petitions filed against the Dindigul and Madurai administrations. The petitions were filed for disobeying court orders that permitted Hindus to celebrate the Karthigai Deepam festival and light lamps. The court upheld both petitions and reprimanded the authorities. During the hearing, Justice G.R. Swaminathan remarked, “I had issued a single-judge order, and until it is stayed by a division bench or the Supreme Court, it must be obeyed in full. The District Collector does not hold appellate authority over me. How did he dare issue an order overriding mine ? Denying citizens their legitimate rights under the pretext of law and order is a failure of administration. The role of the Police is to protect rights, not take them away. Every Hindu in this village has a fundamental right under Article 25 of the Constitution to perform worship and celebrate festivals. The District Collector imposed a ban even on a simple religious festival. This is a gross violation of fundamental rights.”

The court ordered District Collector Saravanan and Superintendent of Police Pratheep to be personally present and provide an explanation. After hearing them, the court will decide whether contempt has occurred.

What is the case about ?

The first case pertains to Mandu Kovil Temple in Perumalkovilpatti village in Dindigul District. Although the Hindu community was permitted to conduct the festival, the administration stopped the event citing law and order concerns. The second case concerns Thirupparankundram Hill in Madurai, where the administration failed to implement the court order permitting the lighting of lamps on the pillar.

In Perumalkovilpatti, where Christians are a majority and Hindus a minority, the Hindu community wanted to celebrate the Karthigai Deepam festival. On 2 December 2025, the court approved the petition and granted permission to light lamps for limited hours on December 3 and 4, and to clear bushes in the area. The court also clarified that there would be no permanent construction and that Christian rights would not be affected. However, District Collector A. Saravanan simultaneously issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) prohibiting gatherings of five or more people and barring entry of outsiders into the village. As a result, the court’s permission became meaningless. The court termed this blatant contempt and a serious violation of fundamental rights of Hindus. (This reflects the anti-Hindu attitude of the DMK government. – Editor)

Editorial Perspective

Since Tamil Nadu is governed by the anti-Hindu DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) administration, it does not hesitate even to defy court orders – this incident clearly proves that. Hindus believe that merely reprimanding such a government is not enough; when the constitution is defied openly, the court should order its dissolution.

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