Madurai (Tamil Nadu): The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday allowed a peaceful hunger strike at Thiruparankundram on December 13, urging authorities to permit the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop the Deepathoon hill.

The court’s approval comes with strict conditions: no slogans are to be raised, and the event must remain apolitical.

Justice S Srimathy passed the order on a petition filed by advocate R Prabhu from Thiruparankundram, who had challenged the police’s rejection of his application on December 8.

Following the court’s directions, the fast will allow only 50 participants and will be held between 9 am and 5 pm, using a single microphone. “No provocative slogans against individuals or groups are permitted; only mantras may be chanted,” the order noted. The j

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