The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday issued a sharply worded contempt order after officials failed to carry out its earlier directive to light the Karthigai Deepam festival lamp at a disputed stone pillar on Tirupparankundram hill — a site long contested by Hindu temple authorities and the adjoining Muslim dargah.

The Thirupparankundram hill houses the temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya Swamy and also the Sikkandar Badhusah Dargah.

Justice G R Swaminathan, who on Monday ordered the temple administration to light the ceremonial lamp at the Deepathoon — a lower peak near the mosque — ruled that district authorities had wilfully disobeyed his explicit instruction to perform the ritual at 6pm on Wednesday. The judge allowed the petitioner and ten others to climb the hill

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