Deepam row: SC upholds HC order on prayer rights

THE Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the Madras High Court order prohibiting animal sacrifice, and limiting Muslim devotees rights to prayers at the dargah on the Thirupparankundram Hill in Madurai to Ramzan and Bakrid festival days.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY

"We do not propose to interfere with the impugned order (Madras High Court) without expressing any opinion with regard to the rights of the parties... Pending applications, if any, shall stand disposed of," said a division bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PB Varale, dismissing a petition challenging the order passed in October 2025.

Prashant Bhushan, advocate for petitioner M Imam Hussain who challenged the part of the ruling restricting Muslim prayers at the hilltop, argued that it violated the fundamental right to freedom of religion.