The day to light the lamp will come soon : Justice GR Swaminathan

“Justice G.R. Swaminathan (in the circle), the lighting of the lamp at Thirupparankundram Hill (top left), and INDIA alliance MPs submitting a memorandum to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla (right).”

Madras High Court Justice GR Swaminathan had recently permitted the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at a Deepathoon on Thiruparankundram Hill in Madurai District, which houses the Subramaniya Swamy Temple as well as the Sikkandar Badhusha Dargah. These orders, which included a directive for CISF protection, triggered controversy and were followed by reports of an impeachment notice being moved against him in Parliament by over 100 MPs.

At a book launch on 27^th December to commemorate the release of the book Kambar and Vaishnavam, he said that ‘the day to light the lamp’ will arrive soon, in a veiled reference to the abovementioned case. (Kambar was a 12^th-century Tamil poet who was the first to write the Ramayan in Tamil.)

During his speech, Justice GR Swaminathan said on a lighter note that he is intrigued by his connection with the lighting of sacred lamps. “I don’t know what the connection is between me and the Deepam (lamp). I went happily to light the lamp here today, but I was told, ‘Sir, you shouldn’t light it’. It was a moment of disappointment. However, I firmly believe that the day to light the lamp will come soon”, Justice Swaminathan said in Tamil.

His comments come during a period of intense national scrutiny following his recent judicial order regarding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam. The order led to a constitutional standoff between the judiciary and the State executive.

In the course of his address, the judge described himself as an ‘idealist’ and said that idealism involved pursuing objectives without compromise. He stated that idealists were those willing to take personal risks to achieve their goals and added that he did not believe in seeking or accepting compromises.

He further stated that individuals should not feel shy or hesitant in wearing religious or cultural identities. Recounting his meeting with two students at the venue, he said : “I saw two students who came to ask for an autograph wearing prominent sacred ash (Vibhuti) on their foreheads. I want to appreciate them for that. We should never feel any shyness or hesitation in wearing our religious and cultural identities. Parents and society have a responsibility to introduce children to ethical thinking and restraint, rather than focusing exclusively on academic achievement or material success”. Referring to Tamil literary traditions, Justice Swaminathan spoke about the Ramayan as representing a continuing struggle between Dharma and adharma. “In the battle between Dharma and adharma, initially Dharma may face difficulties. But ultimately, righteousness prevails. However, such outcomes require sustained effort and discipline”, he said.