Thiruparankundram hill
The petitioners said the superintending archaeologist had forwarded a mail to city police commissioner on Oct 8 referring to the status quo granted by Supreme Court. A division bench of Justice P Velmurugan and Justice K K Ramakrishnan took note of the proceedings dated Oct 9, issued by the superintending archaeologist withdrawing the condition prohibiting cooking of food/prasadam on the hilltop.
They said the official has no jurisdiction to pass the proceedings imposing several conditions for conducting the function including ban on cooking or undertaking any fire-related activity on the premises of the Thiruparankundram hill. The court said that in view of withdrawal of the condition restricting cooking in the hilltop, no further orders were required in the matter. As BJP and Hindu outfits protested, tension prevailed outside the temple entrance. Subsequently, the organisers moved Madras high court seeking permission. It was further brought to the notice of the court that Supreme Court had directed continuation of customary and traditional practices on a status quo basis. It asked the city commissioner of police to ensure that the festival was conducted peacefully.
However, earlier in the day, Madurai city police prevented the devotees from preparing food on the hilltop, citing ASI regulation not to cook within the ASI-protected area.