HC Rejects TN Govt’s Plea Against Lighting Holy ‘Deep’ Near Dargah
In a significant development, the Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal against the court’s order directing to light a holy ‘deep’ near a dargah. The court’s decision came after the state government had filed an appeal against the earlier order, which had allowed devotees to light a holy ‘deep’ near the dargah located at the foot of the Thiruparankundram hill. The court, while dismissing the appeal, observed that it was filed with an “ulterior motive”.
The controversy surrounding the lighting of the holy ‘deep’ near the dargah had been ongoing for some time. The court had earlier directed the authorities to allow the devotees to light the ‘deep’ near the dargah, but the state government had opposed the move. The government’s opposition was based on the grounds that lighting the ‘deep’ near the dargah would disturb the peace and tranquility of the area.
However, the court did not accept the government’s arguments and instead directed the authorities to ensure that the devotees were allowed to light the ‘deep’ near the dargah. Despite the court’s direction, the ‘deep’ was not lit at the designated spot, but instead, it was lit at another location. This move was seen as a deliberate attempt to defy the court’s order and avoid any potential controversy.
The Madras High Court’s decision to dismiss the state government’s appeal is significant, as it upholds the right of devotees to practice their faith and perform their religious rituals without any hindrance. The court’s observation that the appeal was filed with an “ulterior motive” suggests that the state government’s opposition to the lighting of the ‘deep’ near the dargah was not based on genuine concerns, but rather on other considerations.
The dispute over the lighting of the ‘deep’ near the dargah is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern of conflicts between different religious groups in the state. The Tamil Nadu government has been accused of being biased towards certain religious groups, and the opposition to the lighting of the ‘deep’ near the dargah was seen as an example of this bias.
The Madras High Court’s decision is a welcome move, as it ensures that the rights of all religious groups are protected and that the state government does not interfere with the religious practices of its citizens. The court’s directive to the authorities to ensure that the devotees are allowed to light the ‘deep’ near the dargah is a significant step towards promoting religious harmony and tolerance in the state.
The lighting of the ‘deep’ is an important ritual in Hinduism, and it is an integral part of the festival of Karthigai Deepam, which is celebrated in the month of November. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, and the lighting of the ‘deep’ is a symbolic representation of the triumph of good over evil.
The controversy surrounding the lighting of the ‘deep’ near the dargah had sparked off a heated debate, with some sections of the society opposing the move, while others supported it. The opposition to the lighting of the ‘deep’ was based on the grounds that it would disturb the peace and tranquility of the area, while the supporters argued that it was a fundamental right of the devotees to practice their faith.
The Madras High Court’s decision to dismiss the state government’s appeal is a significant development, as it upholds the principles of religious freedom and tolerance. The court’s directive to the authorities to ensure that the devotees are allowed to light the ‘deep’ near the dargah is a welcome move, as it promotes religious harmony and ensures that the rights of all religious groups are protected.
In conclusion, the Madras High Court’s decision to reject the Tamil Nadu government’s plea against lighting the holy ‘deep’ near the dargah is a significant step towards promoting religious harmony and tolerance in the state. The court’s directive to the authorities to ensure that the devotees are allowed to light the ‘deep’ near the dargah is a welcome move, as it upholds the principles of religious freedom and ensures that the rights of all religious groups are protected.
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