Tension flared at the Thiruparankundram Hill shrine in Madurai during Karthigai Deepam celebrations, as protesters clashed with police after being stopped from lighting the traditional lamp at the ancient deepathoon. Citing court orders, demonstrators accused authorities of double standards, alleging that rituals and a chariot procession were allowed at the adjoining Sikandar Dargah while the Deepam was blocked. The standoff led to late-night drama, sparking a political war of words between the DMK government led by M. K. Stalin and the opposition NDA. The Madras High Court had earlier permitted the ritual, a decision later challenged by the state over law-and-order concerns.