The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Tamil Nadu government, Director General of Police, and other officials, seeking their response to a plea demanding action against protestors who allegedly made defamatory and communal remarks against Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madras High Court.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale directed the state to file a status report and fixed February 2 as the next date of hearing.
The petition, filed by advocate G S Mani, alleges that the protests were organised by individuals linked to the ruling DMK and affiliated parties, including communist outfits. These protests reportedly took place not only in public spaces but also within the premises of the Madras High Court in Chennai and Madurai, where derogatory comments allegedly targeting the judge’s caste and religion were made.
The plea claims these remarks were made in retaliation to Justice Swaminathan’s December 1, 2025, order, which allowed devotees to light the ‘Karthigai Deepam’ oil lamp at the “Deepathoon” stone pillar located on the Thirupparankundram hill near a dargah. The judge had held that the lamp-lighting ceremony would not interfere with the dargah structure, as it was situated at a safe distance of over 50 metres.
When this direction was not implemented, the judge passed another order on December 3, allowing devotees to light the lamp themselves and directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to ensure their protection.
This second order reportedly triggered heightened protests and led the Tamil Nadu government to approach the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s directions.
In response to the backlash faced by the judge, the current plea before the Supreme Court seeks strict legal and criminal action against those responsible for organising or participating in what it described as illegal, contemptuous, and potentially inflammatory demonstrations aimed at disturbing communal harmony.
The Supreme Court has now asked the state to provide an official status report detailing the actions taken so far.
