Condemning the DMK government in Tamil Nadu as well as the larger INDIA bloc as being “anti-Hindu”, Union minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday welcomed the Madras High Court decision directing the lighting of the ceremonial Karthigai Deepam at the Thirupparankundram Hill.
Goyal alleged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M K Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, and other leaders from their party had “consistently berated, derided and attacked Sanatan Dharma”.
“On September 2, Mr Udhayanidhi made an audacious and reprehensible demand for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma itself…for the first time, a few months after that, the lighting of the lamp on the Thiruparankundram hill, associated with Lord Karthikeya, Bhagwan Murugan, was prevented. This coincidence should not be missed,” Goyal said at a press conference.
“They did not allow the celebrations and tradition to be carried out in 2024 also. Therefore, the devotees went to the court for justice. And justice was delivered by Justice Swaminathan, who permitted, through his judgment on December 1, 2025, to continue the practice of lighting the lamp, the Deepathoon,” he added.
Goyal said it was “extremely unfortunate” that the DMK-led state government had appealed against the order, which, he alleged, was a clear reflection of “bias against Hindu and Sanatan Dharma” in addition to an “anti-Hindu mindset”. It also displayed the “hatred” that the DMK “and their friends in the INDI alliance” had against the Hindu religion, according to the BJP minister. This, he also said, was symbolised by an impeachment motion signed by leaders from several Opposition parties of the INDIA bloc.
“Their mindset was also reflected by their impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan…this impeachment motion has been submitted by different Members of Parliament of the INDI alliance including Ms Priyanka Vadra Gandhi…leaders of the Samajwadi Party, Dharmendra Yadav, Dimple Yadav; leader of NCP (Sharad Pawar) Supriya Sule, leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) Arvind Sawant…” he said.
INDIA bloc parties ‘intimidating judiciary’
“They were all at the forefront of this anti-Hindu effort, and they are trying to intimidate the judiciary by filing this impeachment motion and making all false allegations against Honourable Justice G R Swaminathan. Because of the judgment, they have called him anti-secular, alleged falsely that he showed favouritism to somebody…they have also made the ridiculous allegation…of political bias, of favouring a particular ideology,” he also said.
Goyal sought to underline this as proof that those who professed to uphold the Constitution were “intimidating the judiciary” so that anybody who gave a judgment “they did not like” could be similarly intimidated.
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On Tuesday, Goyal said, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court led by Justices G Jaychandran and K K Ramakrishnan gave “conclusive directions” that it was an age-old practice and that the sentiments of the local people and devotees should be respected.
“They have clearly shown that the DMK and INDI alliance are anti-Hindu…the state government’s argument about possible law and order problems has also been totally debunked by the Honourable High Court…it is only the appeasement politics of the INDI alliance, trying to appease members of one community, trying to curry favour from the community who has a small dargah there,” he alleged.
“Very clearly, this is a party and a set of parties in the INDI alliance, who when it doesn’t suit them…they attack the constitutional authority of the court, put impeachment motions in Parliament against them, cast aspersion on judges…when the Election Commission doesn’t give a suitable judgment…they threaten them that they will change the law retrospectively and come after you. This kind of anti-India and anti-constitutional activities of INDIA alliance has been exposed by the Honourable Judges today,” he added.
