The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in a heated debate in the Lok Sabha on Friday on the controversy surrounding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
The controversy started when DMK MP TR Baalu made a divisive statement against a Madras high court judge who had permitted worshipers to light the customary lamp—a ruling that the Tamil Nadu government had challenged. Strong complaints were voiced by Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, who claimed that the statement "amounts to casting aspersions on the judiciary."

Rijiju reminded the House that norms and decorum must be upheld throughout parliamentary debate. "We have maintained the discipline of refraining from derogatory statements throughout the history of our parliamentary democracy. He stated, "We don't mind what he wants to say, but he can't use unparliamentary language." "This will lead to unnecessary trouble – not only for you, but for your party as well," Rijiju continued, speaking directly to Baalu.
During Zero Hour, when the government is not required to react right away, members of the Treasury Benches stepped in to refute the accusations made by the Opposition.

The chair, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, then declared that Baalu's comment will be removed from the record. "The case is pending. You used an unsuitable term to describe to an honorable judge. This has been removed and withdrawn. He declared, "We cannot refer to any judge in such terms."
But Baalu maintained his position, claiming that the judge had "himself acknowledged an association with the organization."
The long-standing custom of burning the Karthigai Deepam atop the Deepathoon, an old stone pillar next to the Sikkandar Badushah Dargah in Madurai, lies at the heart of the conflict.

Devotees were allowed to ignite the candle on December 1st by Madras High Court Judge GR Swaminathan. Citing the necessity to preserve public order and the possibility of intercommunal strife, the Tamil Nadu government challenged the ruling.
Conflicts broke out between Hindu organizations and police officers on December 3 when the state administration and temple authorities failed to perform the court-mandated ceremony. The matter became a political hot potato, with charges of contempt of court currently pending.
Baalu maintained that there was intentional inflaming of the situation. Conflicts between communities are being caused by a certain group that is affiliated with a specific political party. He stated that the Indian government ought to deal with the problem.

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan responded on behalf of the government, accusing the DMK-led state administration of discrimination based on religion. "A specific community is being targeted by the Tamil Nadu government, which is impeding worshippers." In that area, they are destroying law and order. He claimed that the DMK government solely engages in vote-bank politics.